Residents of Phillips Place told the Northampton Transportation and Parking Commission on Nov. 18 that narrow road width, parked cars and trucks diverted by a low railroad bridge make the street unsafe for pedestrians and emergency responders. The commission’s chair, who identified himself as Donald Escalia and as director of public works, opened the discussion by describing the street as roughly 800 feet long and 30 feet wide and noting three concerns: parking, a truck "escape" route, and traffic from a planned nearby development.

Several residents said the situation is daily and worsening. "For five years, I've been a daily witness to traffic and parking trends around my block," said Matthew Hoey of 16 Butler Place, who warned that a proposed 54‑unit project with 22 on‑site parking spaces would be insufficient and raised fire‑safety concerns citing revised NFPA guidance (commenter cited "NFPA 2 4 1" in public remarks). Carolyn Mich, the city’s director of planning and sustainability, and Nancy Forrestal, parking enforcement administrator, presented parking counts collected by enforcement officers during two weeks in October showing higher midday occupancy (presenters described peak occupancy near daytime mid‑week). Residents provided photos and videos showing tractor trailers struggling to navigate the street in winter conditions.

Longtime residents also described compromised sidewalks and narrow verges that functionally widen the driving lane when vehicles park on the edge, but that reduce pedestrian space and complicate emergency access. "We have literally dozens of these videos and photos from Phillips and Pomeroy," a resident who identified herself as Nina said, describing occasions where trucks or cars could not pass and police or tow assistance was required. Francisco Palomo, who has lived on the street since 1982, said that semi traffic remains frequent despite lower industrial output at nearby facilities.

Commissioners and staff discussed possible responses, including neighborhood residential permits, one‑side parking restrictions, staggered (chicane) parking and better enforcement or route signage to deter trucks before they reach the bridge. Several commissioners cautioned that removing parking can increase vehicle speeds and suggested a careful engineering analysis. DPW staff said the developer’s lot layout would be provided to the commission; Planning Director Mich said the on‑site spaces are intended for residents and that accessible spaces must meet construction standards.

Chair Escalia said the commission will continue the conversation at a later meeting, likely in January, and recommended collecting residents’ photos and videos via DPW’s official email (dpwinfo@northamptonma.gov) and considering an external engineering review to model options. No formal action or ordinance was taken at the Nov. 18 meeting.