I have no experience in urban planning. But I do have a modicum of common sense. As a professional mover of furniture and pianos for over 45 years, occasionally we have a job on Main Street in Northampton.
I tell the customer that they must go to the Northampton Parking Department ahead of time to pick up road cones and pay a modest fee for the privilege of blocking off two parking spaces for the duration of loading or unloading. As is, it is difficult enough to not impede the flow of traffic when done legally.
Parallel parking is an art that few have mastered, similar to driving a stick shift vehicle. Any delivery truck will take up the one lane available to traffic. How is the new Main Street redesign plan anything but an invitation to mayhem?
Also, the recent increase in roundabouts has caused me concern as well. A moving truck has a difficult time circumnavigating some of these roundabouts with having to drive partially over the center brick designs. I’d rather see smoother roads that are properly maintained, rather than new confusing traffic patterns, with arbitrary medians in the middle of traffic lanes that when there’s 6 inches of snow, you can’t see them, causing damage to tires, or even worse.
Jimmy Burgoff
The writer has moved more than 11,500 pianos since 1978 and lives in Belchertown.