Disabled resident asks 'Where are the handicap parking spaces downtown?'
Town's response: 'Spaces not designated yet'
Janet Durfee-Hidalgo enjoys shopping in downtown Barrington.
The longtime resident says she often stops by Webster Bank, Vienna Bakery, Daisy Dig'Ins and Tiffany's Salon. But the new downtown street-scape improvement project has raised some concerns.
Ms. Durfee-Hidalgo has a disability and wants to know which parking spaces in the Maple Avenue area will be dedicated to individuals with physical limitations.
"I need to know where I can park down there," she said during a recent interview.
Ms. Durfee-Hidalgo contacted the town hall three times, but after leaving messages for the town manager and speaking to the town planner, she still does not have an answer.
"This has been over the last six weeks," she said. "I didn't get a clear response."
Town officials said there's a good reason why Ms. Durfee-Hidalgo does not have an answer: All of the handicap parking space "have not yet been designated," said Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha.
According to town officials, plans for the street-scape improvements currently include one handicap parking space to the left of the Vienna Bakery building.
"The engineer is evaluating opportunities for potential additional spaces elsewhere in the project area, before the striping is completed after the new pavement is down," wrote town planner Phil Hervey in a recent email.
Mr. Cunha wanted to reassure Ms. Durfee-Hidalgo and others, stating that Barrington officials will make sure the finished street-scape improvements comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
