OTISFIELD — The Board of Selectmen ended a yearlong dispute with a Shore Road resident this week by allowing off-road parking for one family while ensuring safe passage by emergency vehicles.

The board unanimously voted Wednesday night to permit Shore Road resident Bonnie Jackson and her family to create an off-road parking space on town property and ban parking 50 feet from the center of the three-way intersection of Shore, Silvaqua and Loop roads in each direction.

The board said its decision applies only to the intersection of Shore, Silvaqua and Loop roads.

The vote was taken after an hour-long inspection at the intersection and after a 35-foot Otisfield firetruck was driven down the steep Silvaqua Road in first gear and successfully turned left onto Shore Road. The maneuver was to determine if firetrucks could safely make the sharp turn with cars parked off the travel lane.

Although selectmen say “no parking” signs have been there since the 1980s, the town installed more signs at the intersection of Shore and Silvaqua roads last year after a summer resident said he was concerned about emergency vehicle access.

In December, the board adopted the town’s first parking ordinance to enforce the signs.

Firefighters say they are concerned that any car parked in or near the travel lane on the narrow dirt camp roads will cause a problem, particularly if a second car pulls along side a parked car to get out of the way.

Not only must Otisfield firetrucks take that turn safely, but much larger firetrucks from surrounding towns must too, if needed. Firefighters also said the intersection must be clear to set up water stations.

The Jacksons, summer residents who have no driveway at their 40-year-old camp, said the signs were unnecessary and forced them to park in dangerous places.

Because there is no driveway to their camp, they had been parking on the road until the board put up the no parking signs last year. Bonnie Jackson, who is disabled, was told by selectmen that she could park her car at the top of the steep hill and walk to her home.

Selectmen Rick Micklon had a handicap sign erected to allow her to park in front of her home.

Several dozen people, including residents of the road, firefighters and town officials showed up to watch the firetruck Wednesday. Jackson and her family sat in chairs at the intersection to watch the maneuver but were asked to move for safety reasons.

“I just want to be part of the solution,” Jackson said after the site walk.

The Jacksons were assured Wednesday night by Micklon that every effort will be made not to pile snow up at the end of the road where the Jacksons will park occasionally in the winter to check their home.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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