by Jay Lawson
The Town of Webb Board, following a resolution adopted in November, agreed to ask Herkimer County to erect “no parking” signs to limit parking on a 200-foot stretch of the South Shore Road, but that measure is now being reconsidered.
The Board adopted the resolution in response to complaints of nearby property owners.
The property owners said the cars, which overflow from the Red Dog Tavern on busy nights, impair the visibility of both themselves and oncoming traffic, as they attempt to exit their driveway.
At the time the resolution was adopted, Councilman J.B. Herron objected, saying it was his belief that 200-feet was too restrictive, and that it placed an unnecessary hardship on the owners of the Red Dog.
Not surprisingly, Diane Doyle and Paul Ryan, who own the Red Dog, agreed.
Doyle said that local businesses have a limited window of opportunity to earn money for the entire year.
Reduced customer parking, resulting from the Town Board’s resolution, would result in an annual loss of tens of thousands of dollars, Doyle said.
“We employ a lot of local people,” she said.
Town of Webb Police Chief Ron Johnston said that he recommended the specifics of the no parking resolution.
That was based on his estimation of what was required for safe visibility, he said.
But, beyond that, the matter came down to a law enforcement issue: People tend to park their vehicles part-way on the road, due to an insufficient shoulder width.
Chief Johnston said that when he receives complaints that motorists are illegally parking on the South Shore Road, he is required to respond.
The Inlet Area Business Association wrote a letter of support on behalf of Red Dog owners, Doyle and Ryan, citing the business hardship being created.
“We respectfully ask you to reconsider… Perhaps there are alternatives that would suffice… Lowering the speed limit and/or adding signs to indicate a congested area,” wrote the IABA.
County Legislator Patrick Russell also asked the Town Board to reconsider, based on discussions he had with Herkimer County’s Professional Engineer and Highway Superintendent, Jay Ewanyk.
“I believe the Town of Webb should further study the parking issue…in an effort to try to come to a solution that is satisfactory to all the parties involved,” Russell wrote.
Russell also suggested a speed limit reduction in the vicinity of the Red Dog. The speed limit is currently 55 miles per hour.
As a first step in revisiting the issue, the Town of Webb Board adopted a resolution that requests a traffic speed study. This would hopefully result in a reduced speed limit, according to Supervisor Robert Moore.
Another proposal was that Herkimer County consider whether widening the shoulder is possible. This would address Chief Johnston’s concern about illegally parked vehicles.
Next will come a county engineers assessment as to whether no parking zones or other measures are needed to allow for visibility and safety.
Legislator Russell said the appropriate time for that might be in the spring.