The playground at Twisp Town Park will get some upgrades including new swings and ground cover, using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The Twisp Town Council will again take up the issue of alley access for deliveries in the downtown area, after council members were told that a proposed solution would not be adequate.
Merchants with businesses fronting Glover Street had complained that because construction of the new Town Hall has blocked access to the north-south alley between Second and Third avenues, it has become more difficult for large trucks to make deliveries because of tight turning spaces.
At its meeting last week, the Town Council considered a proposal for a year-round prohibition of parking on the south side of Second Avenue, between Glover Street and the alley entrance, from midnight to 8 a.m. That would include parking spaced adjacent to the VIP Insurance office.
In a letter to the council, Glover Street Market co-owner Jeff Patterson said the town should consider “a comprehensive solution to the alley access problem that covers all property owners who have property that backs onto the alley. … All owners need to have access to the full width of the right of way for the entire length of the alley, together with the ability of over the road trucks to make turns into and out of the right of way at designated access points.”
“The alternative is to have trucks pull up in Glover street, set out cones, unload pallets, and then unload those pallets by hand in the street or sidewalk, and hand-carry items to the back of the various businesses,” Patterson said.
Additionally, Patterson said, a parking ban that only extends until 8 a.m. does not allow enough time for deliveries that typically come later in the day. Winthrop’s freight delivery zones prohibit other parking until noon.
Council member Mark Easton said that alleyways should be kept clear for deliveries and suggested that the parking prohibition be extended to noon.
Public Works Director Andrew Denham said the town has contacted property owners about keeping the alley clear of garbage cans and other materials that might impede access. He said he had cleared the 8 a.m. proposal with the owners of VIP Insurance, but would need to contact them again about extending the parking prohibition to noon.
The council agreed to table further consideration and consider revised language at a future meeting.
ARPA funds
In other business, the council approved staff-recommended use of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for various town projects and needs. Those include $19,434 for the purchase of tasers and body cameras for the police department; $25,664 for a recently created public works supervisor position; $1,500 for an additional laptop for remote usage; $15,000 for required cyber security software; and $20,000 for town website improvements.
Also included in the ARPA package are upgrades for the playground at the town park, which include six new swings, a new spring rider toy, and replacing the existing bark chip surface with pea gravel, at a total cost of $8,471 including labor. Denham said the work can be done by public works employees. Mayor Soo Ing-Moody said the park upgrades are necessary “for basic safety and usability” of the playground area.
