Marblehead selectmen eye solutions to YMCA parking problems

MARBLEHEAD – Selectmen William Woodfin and Harry Christensen will participate in the ongoing discussion of traffic and safety issues at the new YMCA on Leggs Hill.Woodfin volunteered after board members discussed a letter from 30-year Riverside Drive resident Ralph Roberto, who was speaking for his neighbors.More than a month ago a large group of neighbors began attending Planning Board meetings, detailing the traffic and safety issues generated by the new and successful Y building and the board has ordered a new traffic study paid for by the Y.Roberto’s letter mentioned two issues that are not being addressed so far."Our biggest issue relates to the Y’s parking problem," he wrote, noting that one proposed solution is the purchase of several adjacent houselots on Leggs Hill Road.The lots will either be used as parking or as playing fields that would allow the Y to use other playing fields as parking.Roberto said the original plan was to build homes on those lots, to act as a buffer between the Y and the residential neighborhood. The parking plan "will dramatically impact our homes," he wrote.The second issue revolves around landscaping and screening. Neighbors have been told that the $24 million project has no money for additional landscaping – and the Y has asked them if they could raise funds for that purpose."This is the Y’s responsibility," Roberto wrote.The process is complicated because the Y building is in Salem, even though it impacts Marblehead neighbors and uses Marblehead access roads.Roberto asked selectmen to contact Salem Ward 7 Councilor Joseph O’Keefe to discuss the issues. O’Keefe has already offered to meet with Marblehead to coordinate solutions.Woodfin said sitting down to discuss the issues would benefit both communities and Christensen said he would work with him.