Phillips Park drop offs an issue still in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – The town recently installed signs asking parents not to drop off kids on small streets in the vicinity of Phillips Park but some parents aren’t getting the message.Residents in the vicinity of Phillips Park have been complaining about parents using the small dead end streets they reside on as loading zones for children.According to some area residents, parents are driving to the end ofMuriel Road, dropping kids off and then backing up the entire length of the street to get back on Bates Road.Resident Eric Lagerquist requested the town place a “no drop off” sign at the end of Muriel Road, which has been done but the issue came up again at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday evening.This is not the first time the problem has been discussed by the selectmen. Chairman Anthony Scibelli pointed out the selectmen sent a strong message to coaches instructing them to tell parents to use the Phillips Park parking lot or drop children off on Humphrey Street in the spring. The issue was discussed again at length at a Board of Selectmen meeting last month.Selectman Adam Forman said a police officer, who was monitoring the situation recently, told him as soon as he turned the corner people would start dropping kids off.Scibelli said the town would continue “outreach” to discourage people from using those streets and encourage them to utilize the parking lot in Phillips Park. But he went on to say if the problem persists he would be willing to look at other measures including locking the gate to Phillips Park at the end of Charlotte Road and connecting fences that run along the end of the Lodge and Muriel roads.The Recreation Department issues permits for the use of fields in town and Scibelli said revoking youth league permits for the permits is something that could also be discussed.Scott Faulkner, who is with Swampscott Youth Football, said he has sent emails to all the parents of kids in his program asking them not to park on or drop off on those roads. He went on to say he believes it is unfair to revoke a field-use permit if parents don’t comply with the no parking and no drop off signs.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said the town hoped communication would solve the problem and additional steps would not be necessary.