O&A Committee
August 3, 2026 Page 1 of 3
Ordinances & Administration Committee
Monday, August 3, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
1st Floor Council Conference Room
9 Dale Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
-Minutes-
Present: Chair, Councilor Sean Nolan; Councilor Marjorie Grace
Absent: Vice Chair, Councilor Frank Margiotta
Other Councilors Present: Councilor Memhard
Also Present: CAO, Kelly Dolan (remote); Acting Police Chief, Michael Williams; Traffic Commission Chair, Bob Ryan
This meeting was conducted in-person and remotely via ZOOM.
Agenda items were taken out of order and the minutes reflect these changes.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
- CC#2026-010 (Margiotta): Amend GCO Ch. 22 "Traffic and Motor Vehicles," Sec. 22-270 "Parking prohibited at all times," and Sec. 22-291 "Tow-away Zones" by ADDING "Wheeler Street, both sides, from its intersection with Shore Hill Road to its intersection with Howard Road." (cont. from July 6, 2026)
Summary of Discussion: Traffic Commission Chair, Bob Ryan stated that the Traffic Commission had supported the matter unanimously. He stated that there had been a vehicle parked with a trailer on Wheeler Street that had made it so the road was too narrow, which led to the proposed ordinance amendment.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Grace, seconded by Councilor Nolan, the Ordinances & Administration Committee voted 2 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent, to recommend that the City Council amend the Gloucester Code of Ordinances Chapter 22 "Traffic and Motor Vehicles" Sec 22-270 "Parking prohibited at all times,” and Sec. 22-291 “Tow-away Zones” by ADDING “Wheeler Street, both sides, from its intersection with Shore Hill Road to its intersection with Howard Road.”
A public hearing for this matter will be held September 22, 2026
- CC#2026-014 (Memhard): Amend GCO Ch. 22 "Traffic and Motor Vehicles," Sec. 22-292 "Fire Lanes" by DELETING "Rackliffe Street, westerly side from its intersection with Fremont Street in a southerly direction for its entire length to dead end" and ADDING "Rackliffe Street, both sides from its intersection with Fremont Street in a southerly direction for its entire length to dead end." (cont. from July 6, 2026)
Summary of Discussion: Councilor Nolan stated that there would be a site visit on August 8, 2026.
Bob Ryan stated that residents had complained about parked cars on the street making it so they could not exit their driveways. He stated that Rackliffe Street was only 14 to 15 feet wide and the City had conducted a sweep study, which led to the current ordinance amendment. He stated that the Traffic Commission unanimously supported the matter.
Acting Police Chief, Michael Williams stated he supported the proposed ordinance amendment.
James Maslow, 11 Rackliffe Street, stated that emergency vehicles were not able to safely go down the street due to its width when cars were parked on Rackliffe Street.
Michael Dilberti, 5 Wiley Street, stated that he opposed the proposed ordinance, as there was not enough parking in the area, and this would remove public parking.
Councilor Nolan stated that the proposed ordinance would be carefully considered. He stated that it was a complicated situation because Rackliffe Street was a deeded private road and property owners had rights to park in front of their property. He gave a brief overview of site visit procedures.
Two residents spoke but they did not identify themselves and were unable to be heard on the recording.
Councilor Grace asked if there had been fire lane signage in the area previously. The consensus was there had not been.
Councilor Grace stated that this matter had safety issue aspects to it, but there also seemed to be a neighborhood dispute as well.
This matter was continued to the August 17, 2026 Ordinance & Administration meeting.
- CC#2026-011 (Benson): Amend GCO Ch. 22 "Traffic and Motor Vehicles," Sec. 22-284 "Service or Loading Zones" by DELETING "Main Street, northerly side, in front of #134, one space, 30 minutes limit," and ADDING "Main Street, northerly side, in front of #124, one space, commercial vehicles only, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 30 Minutes Limit." (cont. from July 6, 2026)
Summary of Discussion: Bob Ryan stated that the proposed ordinance amendment was to update the ordinance to where the current location of the sign indicating where the loading zone was.
Michael Williams stated he supported the proposed ordinance amendment.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Grace, seconded by Councilor Nolan, the Ordinances & Administration Committee voted 2 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent, to recommend that the City Council amend the Gloucester Code of Ordinances Chapter 22, "Traffic and Motor Vehicles," Sec. 22-284 “Service or Loading Zones” by DELETING “Main Street, northerly side, in front of # 134, one space, 30 minute limit,” and ADDING: “Main Street, northerly side, in front of # 124, one space, commercial vehicles only, 8 AM to 5 PM, 30 Minute Limit.”
A public hearing for this matter will be held September 22, 2026
- CC#2026-015 (Memhard): Amend GCO Ch. 22 "Traffic and Motor Vehicles," Sec. 22-279 "Thirty-minute parking" by DELETING "Eastern Avenue, in front of #18 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the area beginning at pole #2741 on the westerly side in a southerly direction for 36 feet, two 30-minute parking spaces, clearly delineated." (cont. from July, 22 2026)
Summary of Discussion: Councilor Memhard stated that the greenhouse business that had previously operated at the location had closed, and therefore parking did not need to be reserved for the business anymore.
Bob Ryan stated that he had received calls from residents regarding the reserved parking spots, and he had reached out to Councilor Memhard regarding the matter.
Michael Williams stated he supported the proposed ordinance amendment.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Grace, seconded by Councilor Nolan, the Ordinances & Administration Committee voted 2 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent, to recommend that the City Council amend the Gloucester Code of Ordinances Chapter 22 "Traffic and Motor Vehicles," Sec. 22-279 "Thirty-minute parking" by DELETING "Eastern Avenue, in front of #18 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the area beginning at pole #2741 on the westerly side in a southerly direction for 36 feet, two 30-minute parking spaces, clearly delineated."
A public hearing for this matter will be held September 22, 2026
MOTION TO ADJOURN: On a motion by Councilor Nolan, seconded by Councilor Grace, the Ordinances & Administration Committee voted 2 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent, to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Submitted by: Lynds Jones, Legislative Aide
Documents submitted at the meeting: None.
Matters appearing on the agenda that are to be continued: None.
Meeting Recording: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/1097/Past-Remote-Public-Meetings