MONTAGUE — Beginning this past Monday, Montague is enforcing a new parking restriction that makes it illegal to park a commercial vehicle for more than one hour between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on all public ways, or in municipal parking lots.

The new regulation was adopted by the Selectboard on May 19 following a public hearing on the regulation. It was prompted by resident concerns of roadway safety when commercial trucks are parked on roadways for long amounts of time, create line of sight obstruction for drivers, and loud noises from their engines and refrigeration cycles.

The adoption of the regulation adds Section 11: Commercial Truck Parking to Article 5: Stopping, Standing, Parking to the Town of Montague Traffic Rules and Regulations.

The regulations explain that the overnight restriction involves commercial vehicles that have a commercial registration plate, and are used for “the transportation of goods, wares, merchandise, materials, or other property.”

The characteristics of what a commercial vehicle falls under per this regulation includes a carry capacity in excess of two and one-half tons; the vehicle is more than 18 feet in length without a trailer and seven feet in width; has more than four wheels, or more than two axles, or a trailer; contains more than four square-feet of advertising; is designed to transport more than 16 passengers, including the driver; transports hazardous materials.

The new regulation has exemptions for plowing or emergency response, as well as for construction vehicles that have authorized permission from the Selectboard. When a violation occurs, there will be a $50 fine. The Montague Police Department also will have discretion to tow a vehicle in violation.

Town Administrator Walter Ramsey said he’s consulted regulations that other towns in the region have adopted, and they were first discussed during a May 5 meeting before a public hearing. He said this is a first step toward addressing resident concerns about commercial vehicles are parking in residential areas, while also keeping the interests of the vehicle owners in mind.

“Some feel like the regulation could go further to restrict truck parking at all times during the day, because they feel like it’s more of a sight line safety issue during the day when traffic is out,” Ramsey said. “But as discussed a couple weeks ago, we felt this is a good starting point for the town.”

Ramsey added that this is a regulation that can always be revisited at a later date.

Another concern brought to the board was related to idling, and the noise coming from engine cycling in some of the vehicles. There is an anti-idling law in the state that he said could be enforced, and that he’ll be speaking with the Board of Health and Montague Police Department about that.

Lillian Moss spoke during the May 19 public hearing, reading a letter she sent to the town about her concerns over an 18-wheel tractor trailer that parks outside her home on Park and 7th streets.

“The trucks are definitely a driving hazard. I have seen people make fast turns from 7th onto Park Street, and have some real near misses there with the truck there because they can’t see,” she explained.

Outside of the traffic concern, Moss says a cycling cooling unit inside the truck makes low-frequency noises, and she says the loud noise that runs for hours during the day gives her physical symptoms that she’s treating with medication.

“One 18-wheeler has a cooling unit, not an idling motor,” she said, “that cycles on and off, and it is annoying for everybody, but for me this is a health hazard.”

Given her concerns relate to daytime activity, Moss said an overnight ban won’t solve the issue, but the town should look into a designated parking area for the commercial vehicles so they don’t block traffic, and can help both the commercial drivers who are their neighbors.

Selectboard Chair Richard Kuklewicz said that it’s his opinion the restriction could go further, but said a designated parking area in town would need to be considered for where it would go, the sturdiness of the parking area and how long parking would be permitted there for.

After some discussion between members of the board and Montague Police Chief Christopher Williams, the enforcement date was decided for Monday, May 26.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.