The process of alleviating the oft-congested vehicular situation created for Orchard Avenue residents considering the street's proximity to Kickemuit Middle School and Veterans Field is well underway.

At its August meeting, the town council received an update on the proposed traffic improvement plan for the neighborhood at the request of body President Joseph DePasquale.

The spill-over of motor vehicles to Orchard from the parallel main Hugh Cole Road access point to the complex has been a concern of residents for quite some time.

Warren Fire Department Chief James Sousa spoke on the behalf of the town, noting the increase in vehicles in the area was due in part to the ongoing renovations at KMS. Sousa did explain that the final plan calls for a "t-design" turnaround at the end of Orchard Avenue with a fence and a gate just after the turnaround. He said the turnaround was designed based on the size of fire department apparatus and trash trucks.

Sousa clarified after the meeting, when completed the gate at the foot of Orchard leading into rear of the KMS/Vets complex will be closed at all times and control of it will be with public safety personnel.

Norman Deblois, an Orchard Avenue resident, noted beyond construction the road has seen a meaningful increase in traffic of late. He asked if it were possible to have no parking signs installed to help alleviate the number of cars on street.


"We can send that request to our traffic commission, and they'll review it. to make sure it fits," said DePasquale "Just so, you know, that's how we make these decisions. First, we hear, and then send for the input of our DPW, fire and police, and then it comes back to us. So I'm hearing that that's going to be a no parking fire lane anyway. So the changes that the neighborhood has requested over the years, it has been heard and is being implemented at the end of this construction phase."

Another Orchard Avenue resident who spoke, Colleen Deschenes, said she wanted to go "a little bit deeper" into the subject. She said the increase of sporting events at Vets Field, an annual occurrence beginning at this time of the year, exacerbates the situation.

"They were pulling up on the empty lot across from my house, doing a turnaround, and that's somebody's private property. And they were literally driving their car on the private property and turning around," said Deschenes. "So, I think, first of all, we need to do is address that it's a dead end street. We have no signage saying that they can't go through even with the construction. They come all the way down to find, it's a dead end because the gates are closed. So, we definitely need a sign for that, and at what point are we doing no parking? Is it the whole street? Is it just the end where the fence is?"

Said DePasquale, "I think the traffic commission will be taking all of that into account when they come back with their recommendation. At least that's what I believe is going to take place. Because I think the little bit of the glitch now, I believe, is because of the construction, and this is the first time that we're making, finally, this change."

Deschenes added, "I'm so thankful for this change. This is huge, and we've been wanting this for forever, 20-plus years."

Councilman Derrik Trombley noted the recommendations of the traffic commission will come back before council and the public will have a chance to offer up its input once again before any changes are ultimately implemented.