Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media following months of debate, the Athens Village Board April 14, adopted a law prohibiting parking on the west side of North Franklin Street. Local Law No. 5 of 2021 was approved due to safety concerns over the width of the street and emergency vehicle access. A public hearing was held on October 28 and again on March 24 to gauge public reaction to the new law. Officials from the fire department, police department. and department of public works also were consulted, Mayor Amy Serrago said. “We have heard everyone on this subject,” she said. Former Mayor Stephan Bradicich, who left office at the beginning of April, and DPW chief Anthony Proper measured the street to determine if emergency vehicles are able to get through if cars are parked on both sides of the road. Serrago said village officials have determined the width of the street makes parking on both sides dangerous. Village Trustee Joshua Lipsman said of reducing the parking to one side of the street, “I am feeling like we should not take anything from our residents unless we absolutely have to and which we must on the northernmost portion [of the street] for safety.” Department of Public Works Director Anthony Proper said, “What is the big inconvenience? Because they have to park their car on one side and walk an extra five steps to get into their house?” Proper said only a couple of residents will have to move their vehicles to the opposite side and that safety during plowing season and clearing the road is critical. When it came time to vote on the law, Lipsman was the lone dissenter. The mayor said new signs will be posted and residents will be notified by the village when the law goes into effect. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.