Parking reconfigured at the school

NORTH CANAAN — Another step in an effort to encourage safe and legal parking at North Canaan Elementary School is about to occur.A relatively new parking lot directly across Pease Street from the school is getting a major improvement. The empty lot was purchased by the town about five years ago. The idea was to provide more parking for the school, particularly for nighttime activities. Previously, the only legal parking was in the adjacent Town Hall parking lot. But it was typically used as overflow parking after the main entrance circle and fire lanes on the street were filled.While the new lot is still not the first choice for many, it has eased the situation. But it has presented its own hazard. At night, it is difficult to see to walk in and out of the lot. The contrast of bright, exterior lights at the school and lighting at an apartment house behind the lot make it seem that much darker.Old road millings and volunteer labor made for a very affordable paving job, but one that has quickly become rough over a few winters. The lot has become pitted with holes at the entrance, which are difficult to avoid in the dark.The Board of Selectmen has long discussed the matter,looking for an approach that would not become a nuisance to neighbors. The proposal to buy the property came at a time when wooded lots all along that side of Pease Street were receiving subdivision approvals. It met with considerable opposition during the public hearing process. Bragg Street residents, who had long enjoyed backyard privacy and shielding from lights and noise at the school, were the most vocal. It has come down to only one option: expanding on the existing sodium vapor overhead street lighting, as recommended by a Department of Transportation review.Selectman Charlie Perotti said the additional lights will be mounted on the two streetlight poles that currently light Pease Street in front of the school. A pole with two more lights will be installed in the island in the center of the lot to light the back portion. Since they will be on the same timer as the CL&P streetlights, the parking lot will have to stay on all night. But there remains a buffer of trees between the lot and most Bragg Street homes. The town will pay about $4,000 for installation. It will pay a total of about $36 per month to keep the four lights on.