FARMINGTON — Selectmen will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s traffic ordinance at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Municipal Building.

One change would allow for three designated parking spaces for tour buses, Town Manager Richard Davis said.

When tour bus drivers let downtown retailers know ahead that they are stopping here for a lunch stop, they know they’ll receive special treatment. The red carpet is rolled out, he said.

The number of tour buses stopping has increased in the past few years. The Farmington Downtown Association wants three spots designated for bus parking. They will put out cones with signs saying “Tour bus parking only” when a bus is due. There is a two-hour limit, Davis said.

The buses need two normal parking spaces. The three locations include one on Broadway, the north side of lower Broadway next to Liquid Sunshine, one on the north side of Church Street and one on the west side of Main Street next to Meetinghouse Park.

Other changes for the board to consider include amending the definition of the town’s Business District to include the west side of High Street between Broadway and Church streets. 

This would allow delivery trucks for Sugarwood Gallery the opportunity to park in the striped zebra zones for up to 60 minutes. Parking in the zones is only allowed in the Business District and the change would allow the gallery the same opportunity, he said.

Another change would prohibit parking on the entire east side of North Street and the west side between Orchard and Perham streets. There have been some issues with drivers parking along this narrow street, he said.

A proposed change would also eliminate overnight parking on South Street, year round. The University of Maine at Farmington requested the change because people and organizations such as Rotary who meet early at the Student Center have no place to park nearby when vehicles are left on South Street overnight.

Lastly, another change would allow temporary closure of municipal lots when maintenance is needed. When the town’s Public Works department wants to paint parking spaces or do other work, this change allows the lot be closed temporarily so vehicles won’t be there in the morning when they arrive to do the work.

Copies of the proposed amendments are available at the town office and at the meeting.

abryant@sunjournal.com