…I don’t think there are any restrictions on parking there.”

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey

Parking spaces on campus are particularly tough this school year because we have a higher number of seniors this year (over 300).”

Barrington High School Principal Chris Ashley

We’re looking at it from a safety concern.”

Resident Jim Peluso

Residents in a neighborhood near the high school recently presented members of the Barrington Town Council with a letter calling for resident-only parking on their streets. 

“We, the Tiffany Circle and Priscilla Drive residents write to bring to your attention a pressing safety concern impacting our neighborhood,” stated the letter. “Due to insufficient parking availability at Barrington High School, numerous students have resorted to parking daily within our neighborhood. The increased presence of high school students' vehicles has created an unsafe environment, given their limited driving experience, the congestion of cars at the exit/entrance of the circle, and a large amount of pedestrian traffic.”

The letter further explains the situation, and highlights the concerning “potential for accidents during peak times when students of all ages—including elementary children coming off buses, middle school students walking and biking, and high school students—are walking home simultaneously.”

The residents on Tiffany Circle and Priscilla Drive also referenced issues when a mini-bus tried to navigate the quagmire of parked cars and students exiting the high school. 

“This convergence creates a hazardous scenario with an elevated risk for serious incidents,” stated the letter.

The residents who signed the letter are proposing two specific changes. First, they want the Barrington Town Council to implement resident-only parking restrictions during school hours, Monday through Friday. Second, they are requesting the installation of a marked crosswalk connecting the sidewalk along Lincoln Avenue in front of Barrington High School with the Tiffany Circle and Priscilla Drive neighborhood. 

“By proactively addressing these concerns, we can ensure the safety of our children and community members before an unfortunate event occurs,” the residents wrote. The letter is signed by 19 people who live in that neighborhood. 

‘A bit of a mess’

Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey said he spoke with the police chief about the parking issue in the Tiffany Circle neighborhood.

“It’s always been problematic. That whole stretch of road, between County Road and Upland is a bit of a mess,” Hervey said during an interview last week. “We have looked at potential changes to that area. We’d have to work it out with the schools … put a path on the school property. Just that whole stretch. Where people park, pick up and drop off and stuff. Yeah, it’s always been a concern.”

Hervey said there are currently no parking restrictions along Priscilla Drive and Tiffany Circle, so there is no need for police enforcement in that neighborhood. He suggested that students consider parking in the RIPTA park and ride lot near the White Church and then following the sidewalk to the school entrance. 

“…I don’t think there are any restrictions on parking there,” Hervey said. “The ordinance says parking is available there (on Tiffany Circle and Priscilla Drive), so … at this point, that is what the ordinance says. You can’t ticket anybody based on parking that’s allowed.”

Hervey added that the town is considering the creation of an administrative committee that could address issues such as the parking situation along Priscilla Drive and Tiffany Circle. 

“We’re talking about forming an administrative committee to look at these issues — parking issues, stop sign requests, for example, signage, whether signage is needed in certain areas or needs to get replaced, safety improvements,” he said. “This would be an example of something that this internal committee would be looking at before it gets to the town council.

“The police chief shouldn’t be the one person saying whether the stop sign is needed there. It should be looked at holistically with public works, planning, me, fire, police.”

Jim Peluso lives in the Tiffany Circle/Priscilla Drive neighborhood and has witnessed plenty of close calls between motorists and pedestrians. He said that with vehicles parked along the side of the road, it only leaves enough space for one vehicle to enter or exit the neighborhood. 

“We’re looking at it from a safety concern,” Peluso said, adding that it would likely be safer for students to find alternative places to park their cars. He mentioned the RIPTA park and ride lot and the parking lot at the nearby Barrington Presbyterian Church. He understands that the church officials would need to be part of that discussion. 

Peluso has contacted Barrington School Department leaders about the issue also. 

“I’ve spoken to them several times. They said it’s an issue they understand,” Peluso said. 

Barrington High School Principal Chris Ashley said he is well aware of the situation. In an email to the Barrington Times, Ashley wrote that parking has been a topic of discussion at the high school for several months. 

“Parking spaces on campus are particularly tough this school year because we have a higher number of seniors this year (over 300),” Ashley wrote. “The spring gets more challenging as more juniors receive their licenses and are hoping to park on campus. I have sent out numerous messages to students and families about following school rules for parking on campus and abiding parking laws for Tiffany Circle in particular. We have also been in contact with the Barrington Police Department regarding students following parking rules on side streets around campus.

“As much as possible, we are encouraging students, especially juniors, to either carpool, get dropped off or take a school bus (if eligible).”

In the meantime, Peluso said he is hopeful the issue lands on an agenda for an upcoming Barrington Town Council meeting. 

“I would love to have a permanent solution.. for all the children in the neighborhood,” Peluso said. “We just want to make sure it’s safe for all the children.”