Transportation and Parking Commission Jul 15, 2026

The Town of Amherst Transportation and Parking Commission held a meeting on July 15, 2026, focusing primarily on pedestrian safety improvements and parking management issues. A significant portion of the discussion centered on a proposed crosswalk near Mount Holyoke, including considerations for enhanced safety features such as rapid flashing beacons, estimated to cost $24,000 to $25,000. The commission emphasized the need for a public meeting to gather resident input before advancing the project, with funding decisions to be made by the town manager and council. Additionally, the commission addressed parking concerns near Kendrick Park, particularly the balance between resident permit parking and hourly parking availability, noting that any major parking changes would require a public meeting and council approval. The commission also discussed the process for handling resident requests related to traffic calming and parking, agreeing that requests should initially be reviewed by the commission chair who would coordinate with relevant departments to gather necessary data before broader discussion. A prioritization framework for multimodal transportation projects was introduced to guide future decision-making. The meeting concluded with approval of minutes and plans to schedule future meetings to continue addressing these issues.