The recent special meeting of Hennessey’s Board of Trustees, held on October 23, aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility in the downtown area. The primary focus was angle parking on both sides of Oklahoma and 1st streets, and ADA handicap spots were added on all four corners.
Trustee Bert Gritz recommended the removal of parking spots at intersections on select streets and the adjustment of side street angle parking to 45-degree angles. These changes would improve driver sight lines and contribute to overall safety in the area.
Town Administrator Tiffany Tillman mentioned using state-approved paint for the parking project. This decision was made following feedback from Trustee Gritz regarding the durability of the town’s previous paint.
The Board acknowledged the importance of providing adequate handicapped parking spaces and ensuring that existing spaces are clearly marked in accordance with ADA regulations. Trustee David Jones emphasized the need to evaluate handicapped parking spaces across the town to ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines.
During the meeting, Mayor Harold Shaw brought attention to a specific area where a “No Parking” sign near a handicapped parking spot needed to be removed.
Additional discussions included the necessity of expanding downtown parking facilities to accommodate the increasing number of businesses in the area. The potential for re-purposing vacant spaces was also discussed as a solution to the growing demand for parking spaces.
The Board approved resolutions to enhance the town’s electronic water meter system through a grant application. The purchase of remote antenna and reader systems will streamline meter readings, improve leak detection, and provide greater efficiency in water management.
