LOWVILLE — The village Board of Trustees will hold two public hearings at the Aug. 1 meeting for the consideration of two proposed laws that would modify parking along Bostwick Street and ban signs on the Village Green.

While parking has never been permitted along the north side of Bostwick Street, additional no-parking signs have been posted on the south side. After village board members did some research, they discovered not only is parking allowed on the south side; no one would claim responsibility for the signs.

The discovery prompted the question, should the signs be removed or are the parking restrictions a good idea?

The village sent letters to property owners along the stretch from State Street to Forest Avenue, who then spoke at the June 20 board meeting. The unanimous opinion voiced to board members was a resounding “no” to removing the signs. Property owners expressed great concern over the safety of drivers on Bostwick Street, people attempting to park and children who walk to school in that area.

Richard V. Defone has witnessed near accidents in front of his home. “Tractor-trailers come close to parked cars,” he said. During the winter, he said, the snowbanks cause people to park in driving lanes.

A Lowville Academy parking lot that has an entry on Bostwick seems to cause overflow parking onto Bostwick. Students also use a path from Bostwick to the school. Residents had concerns that the crosswalk is at an intersection, at the crest of a hill and at the entry to the parking lot. Others in attendance recalled seeing children cross between parked cars at various points on Bostwick Street, calling the area “an accident waiting to happen.”

Lowville Trustee Dennis G. Bishop said, “This is exactly why we sent the letters. We received the input we needed from the affected parties.”

The board will listen to more public opinion before voting on the proposed law at its Aug. 1 meeting.

The second possible law, prohibiting the posting of signs on the Village Green, is being considered after several complaints were received.

The grassy area in front of the First Presbyterian Church houses the 128-year-old Civil War statue, which is being restored and soon to be returned, as well as a fountain and benches in a park-like setting.

Most recently the site has been the collection point for signs announcing yard sales, music events, chicken barbecues, auctions and fundraisers. The law states that only nonprofit businesses may post signs and they must obtain board permission in advance.

Recently, Trustee Joseph G. Beagle reported to the board his observation that one business had requested and received permission to post signs, yet eight businesses were posting signs for their events.

The new law addresses the park’s purposes: “The Lowville Village Green is an important area honoring the Civil War veterans of the village. It is important to the village to keep such area pristine, well-groomed and tasteful. The presence of community signs detracts from the dignity of the location and the aesthetic beauty of the park.”

Safety is another concern, as some signs have not been secured, and have blown into the roadway on several occasions.

The public hearings on both proposed laws will begin at 5:30 p.m. at 5535 Bostwick St.

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