Council bans parking on East 19th Street
The Northampton Borough Council banned student parking on East 19th Street.
The council extended the ban at its Feb. 20 meeting.
After the council passed a similar ban of student parking on Evans Street, students of the Northampton Area High School began parking on East 19th Street while attending classes. Such parking caused a ruckus with residents unable to park near their homes.
"Now that we have posted Evans Street as no student parking, the students have migrated to East 19th Street," borough manager Gene Zarayko said. "I have a rash of letters from the residents on East 19th Street requesting the same parking restrictions."
Several residents from 19th Street were present at the meeting when the issue was brought up for discussion and a vote.
Council approved the student parking ban on the street. The borough public works department will now erect student no parking signs.
Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr., who has been critical of students parking on streets, said the borough may be faced with the problem again in the future because students are parking on other streets. According to Lopsonzski, students are parking as far away as Hokendauqua Street and 21st Street.
Lopsonzski commented families are being deprived of parking due to the students parking, which is not fair since residents pay taxes.
He also pointed out the district spends $1 million for bus transportation. Lopsonzski added only a third of bus seats appear to be occupied.
Zarayko said the issue may be resolved once the middle school construction is complete and the school opens.
Students at times park on borough lots off Smith Lane.
In a related school traffic matter, Zarayko was granted permission to erect no parking signs on 9th Street, at Franklin School, baning parking from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and from 3 to 3:45 p.m.
In other business, Gregory Morey, a public works employee, has been promoted to crew leader due to the retirement of Cliff Eckhart, according to Councilman Keith Piescienski, public works and sewer committee chairman.