The town closed South Lake Drive to all car traffic earlier this month, and this week it appears some people are not happy with that decision.

On Sunday morning, March 21, Barrington police received a phone call from someone reporting that the “No vehicular traffic” signs recently installed at both ends of South Lake Drive had been ripped from the ground. Police officers responded to the scene and found that the wood posts installed as part of a gate blocking the road had been pulled out of the ground and moved to the side of the road. The police said the orange traffic barrels that were stationed near the wooden posts had also been moved. (By Monday afternoon, the gate had been repaired.)

The idea of closing South Lake Drive to car traffic surfaced months ago, and during the March town council meeting officials voted unanimously to temporarily close the one-way road until May 3, allowing time for the Barrington Park and Recreation Commission, Open Space Committee and Conservation Commission to review the plan and offer their recommendations.

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha told members of the council that closing South Lake Drive to vehicles was the most prudent thing to do, fiscally. Councilor Carl Kustell said he tried to drive his car the length of South Lake Drive recently and believes it is unsafe.

Mr. Cunha suggested the town place gates at the southern and northern ends of South Lake Drive, and also recommended there be space for parking. The road, he said, would remain open to pedestrians, bicyclists, joggers and fishermen. All recreational use would continue to be allowed, and the areas near the gates could serve as parking spaces.

Councilor Rob Humm said there had been some prior discussion about whether South Lake Drive was owned by the town or by the Rhode Island Country Club. The town solicitor said a title search could be done to determine ownership. Mr. Cunha then said that another attorney from the solicitor’s office had searched out who owned the road, and found that it was pretty definitively town property.

Barrington council president Michael Carroll said that if the road was dangerous to vehicles, then he would like to recommend that the manager close it off to car traffic temporarily. Mr. Kustell said it was definitely dangerous, referencing potholes along the length of the road.

Council member Rob Humm suggested the council place a deadline to the temporary closure, so it does not become indefinite. Mr. Carroll agreed and offered the May council meeting as an opportunity to revisit the issue. He also said the item should be referred to the other town boards and commissions for further review.

Barrington resident Richard Staples (he also serves as town moderator) said the town needed to accommodate for some parking at both ends of South Lake Drive, as there are nature trails nearby and the area is also frequented by bird-watchers and plenty of fishermen. He said the parking is important for families that bring their children to the lake to fish.

Barrington resident Paul Dulchinos said there was already a sign on South Lake Drive alerting people to the fact that the road is closed from dusk until dawn. He then suggested the town put a gate down there that could be closed at night.

Mr. Humm also asked that the sign be clear, noting that the road is closed only to vehicle traffic and still remains open to walkers, joggers, bikers and others accessing it on foot.

Eventually the council voted on the temporary closure to car traffic. The vote was unanimous.