By Charlotte Boynton
Customers park outside Ship’s Chow Hall in Dresden Tuesday, Oct. 28. The Dresden Board of Selectmen will discuss a draft parking ordinance to ban parking along the southbound lane of Gardiner Road at its meeting Monday, Nov. 3. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
The Dresden Board of Selectmen’s consideration of a parking ban along the southbound lane of Gardiner Road (Route 27) concerns Ship’s Chow Hall co-owner Lenny Santos, because
the parking ban would have a direct impact on his restaurant.
Santos said Tuesday morning, Oct. 28, he was unaware there was a parking problem caused by his customers until he was given a copy of a draft parking ordinance.
The parking in front of the restaurant poses a safety issue for motorists pulling onto Gardiner Road from Middle Road (Route 127/197), according to the selectmen.
Santos said if the board adopts the parking ordinance, his customers would have to park on the opposite side of Gardiner Road and cross the road without a crosswalk.
“This would be a safety issue for my customers, especially those who walk with a walker or cane,” he said.
Ship’s Chow Hall customers oppose a parking ban in front of the restaurant. Front row, from left: Judy Tunkle, Elizabeth Tunkle, and Susan Hartford; back row: Henry Swanson, Sonia Lilly, Melony Garze, co-owner Lenny Santos, Paul Tunkle, Janet Simard, and Phil Simard. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
Several customers expressed their opinions regarding a potential ban Tuesday morning at the restaurant.
“This building used to be the post office,” Susan Hartford said. “There has always been parking in front of this building. There never was a problem. This building
has served for a variety of businesses.”
Henry Swanson, who uses a walker, said, “I have lived in Dresden for about 12 years, and don’t see a problem with the parking. If I have to walk 200 feet to get to
the restaurant, I just won’t be able to come. There never has been an issue before.”
“This is a small business. They need parking for their customers,” Robin Terenzoni said. “The town should be working to provide parking for them, not take it away.”
Judy Tunkle said, “Dresden’s problem is, drivers do not comply with the speed limit of 35 mph through the area. We are a small town with small businesses, and we
need to be business-friendly.”
Tunkle said Ship’s Chow Hall supports other small businesses in town, including through its use of produce from local farms.
Paul Tunkle said he moved to Dresden in May of this year, and Ship’s Chow Hall welcomed him to town.
“It’s a wonderful place for neighbors to gather,” Paul Tunkle said. “I have met some great people here over a cup of coffee. Supporting small business is important
in Dresden. This looks like a solution looking for a problem, when there isn’t a problem.”
Sonia Lilly, Dresden emergency management director, was there to support the small-business owner.
“I agree there should be no parking near the intersection of Route 127 and Route 27, but don’t take all his parking away,” Lilly said. “This ordinance won’t just
affect Ship’s, it will also affect Dresden Take Out, because large trucks park on that side of the road to go into the Take Out.”
Lilly said the decision regarding the parking ban should not be made by three people; the voice of the people should be heard. She would recommend two or three
handicapped parking spaces in front of the building.
The proposed Dresden parking ordinance limits parking adjacent to the southbound lane of Gardiner Road within the sightlines of the intersection with Middle Road as
determined by the Maine Department of Transportation. Ship’s Chow Hall is next to the intersection.
The selectmen will discuss the draft ordinance during their next meeting. The meeting will take place at Pownalborough Hall at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3. Santos and his
supporters plan to attend.
