WILTON – The town will see a change in the parking at the corner of Main and Goodspeed streets, selectmen decided Tuesday. Officials decided there was no need for any changes in the town’s parking ordinance, since the ordinance already gives selectmen the authority to govern parking issues.

Safety issues at the site were brought to the attention of Town Manager Peter Nielsen by Highway Foreman John Welch. Welch said that when cars park next to the retaining wall at Main and Goodspeed, they are in the traveling lane of Main Street.

He said his main concern is for the safety of children coming down across the bridge from the library on Goodspeed Street, because visibility in crossing Main Street is blocked by vehicles parking there.

Welch suggested that no parking be allowed on either side of the bridge. He also suggested that the recommendation by the Maine Department of Transportation of making any parking area 20 feet from any intersection or junction of a street be followed in this situation.

But some residents and business owners voiced their concern that the move would only add to the problem of already-slim parking choices downtown for businesses.

Selectmen Keith Swett reminded officials about a suggestion made last year to turn an area across from Wilton hardware into parking spaces. Selectman Jeff Rowe said the town could run into problems by paving such an area.

Local lawyer Ron Aseltine, whose office is on Goodspeed Street, said he utilizes the parking space there for his vehicle. He said that while there is actually only one parking space there that is lightly marked, people often try to park two cars in the space.

Aseltine suggested repainting the space and putting up a sign stating that no parking is allowed to the corner. Aseltine said another problem is traffic going too fast on Main Street. He said putting up a cone and sign warning of pedestrians could slow traffic.

Aseltine said that if the town follows the MDOT recommendation – which he pointed out is not a requirement – it would need to look at all crosswalks in town. He said that would mean the loss of many parking spaces.

“That’s something you don’t want to do to the businesses downtown,” Aseltine said.

Nancy Merrow, new owner of the 352 Main St. building and an adjacent lot, said that while she has enough parking available, she receives many requests to park on her property when there is no place elsewhere in the area to park.

She said she is also concerned about further limiting parking areas. “I don’t want to own property in a ghost town,” she said.

Officials agreed to move the parking space back from the west corner of Goodspeed Street, repaint it, and put up the “no parking here to corner” sign. That will create more visibility for those walking down from Goodspeed Street and make it clear that there is only one parking space available there.

Officials also said those utilizing parking in that area need to make sure they park close enough to the retaining wall that their vehicle is not in the traveling area of Main Street.