Hamilton Weighs Halloween Street Safety and Voting Message
The Hamilton Select Board debates how to make downtown Halloween trick-or-treating safer without creating new traffic risks, ultimately scheduling a follow-up meeting with police to study options for Union Street. The board also reviews the state election warrant, considers a resident-led voting banner amid policy gaps, notes multiple committee vacancies, and discusses a cross-board group to keep the downtown improvement plan on track. 26mins
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Original Meeting
In This Video
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The Select Board opened its Zoom meeting, noted ongoing elevator issues at Town Hall, reviewed multiple vacancies on town boards and committees, and confirmed there were no public comments.
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The Select Board reviewed the largely procedural state-written election warrant for the upcoming 2026 ballot, clarified that their role was to formally approve it so the election could proceed, and discussed the offices and ballot questions it covered.
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Resident Amy Wallach presented a petition from downtown households requesting temporary closure of part of Union Street during Halloween trick-or-treating hours to address safety concerns about heavy traffic and speeding drivers.
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Select Board members supported improving Halloween safety downtown but debated whether fully closing Union Street could create new traffic problems, emphasizing the need for police input, effective communication, and possible alternatives such as stationing patrol cars instead of a full road closure.
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Select Board members continued debating a proposed Union Street closure for Halloween, questioning traffic patterns, emphasizing town‑wide safety, and calling for expert input and advance communication before creating any designated “safe zone” in the neighborhood.
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The Select Board agreed that improving Halloween traffic safety on Union Street was a worthwhile concept but delayed any final decision until a follow‑up Zoom meeting with the police chief to work through implementation details and communication timing.
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The Select Board scheduled a short follow‑up meeting with police leadership to explore Halloween traffic safety options on Union Street, authorized the finance director to coordinate with the department, and noted that any changes not feasible this year could be planned more fully for next year.
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The Select Board debated a request to hang a League of Women Voters banner encouraging turnout, acknowledged their banner policy was inadequate, saw a member abstain over procedural concerns which blocked approval, and ultimately tabled the decision to a follow‑up meeting while exploring alternative election messaging options.
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Board Member McCoy proposed forming a multi‑board steering group to keep the downtown improvement project moving through planning and approval, and Chair Olson supported the idea while emphasizing that its role should focus on advancing the project’s approval process rather than implementing construction.
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