DURHAM – Concerns about the safety of some Durham Elementary School students who ride their bicycles to school and congregate in and around the Fire Department parking area on Route 9 in the morning and after school were discussed at a meeting Monday afternoon at the town office.

School Principal William Pidden said he will be contacting those involved and their parents in an effort to resolve the problem. It was generally agreed the bicyclists were well-behaved but were creating a hazardous situation for motorists and for themselves in front the six-bay fire station.

Chief Deputy Michael Ward of the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department said they stage bike rodeos for K-8 students, which drew a lot of interest, as did other suggestions such as biking clubs and bike safety training. Ward said he had also contacted the state about installing a fence around some culverts.

The issue of middle school-age students who ride their bikes over culverts at the edge of the parking has been discussed at selectmen’s meetings and there have been complaints from motorists.

Fire Chief Bill St. Michel, who was at the meeting, was commended for his efforts to make sure bicyclists were wearing helmets and asking them not to ride their bikes in and out of the deep paved culverts between the road and parking lot.

The number of students involved runs from about 10 to as many as 25, St. Michel said. It is town property and if someone is hurt “we assume liability.”

He said he tries to keep them in the parking lots, giving them something to do instead of chasing them off, and goes out and talks with them.

Other options discussed were an alternative location for young people, maybe in the Eureka Community Center field, or a teen center in the building or the schoolyard if there was supervision. PTA members said they were sure their group would be willing to help with a rodeo and any other projects and that it would be discussed at their Oct. 22 meeting.

Selectman and former PTA President Denise LaFlamme hosted the meeting attended by Pidden, Ward, Selectman Chairman Wesley Bennett, PTA President Erla Coburn, past President Carrie Pelletier and EMA Director Debbie Larrabee.