Ferris Acres Creamery, a family-operated ice cream stand that opened for business at 144 Sugar Street (State Route 302) in 2004, has become a popular destination for both residents and out-of-towners, seeking to enjoy the pleasures of ice cream amid the bucolic setting of a working dairy farm.

Over the years, the creamery’s reputation has grown, attracting increasingly large numbers of people to the site.

However, the creamery has become so popular that, at times, the site becomes overcrowded, attracting dozens of vehicles, many more vehicles than the vehicular capacity of its parking lot.

That has resulted in patrons occasionally parking their vehicles along both sides of Sugar Street and along other roads in the area, creating traffic and pedestrian hazards.

Some area residents have complained to police about the traffic problems posed by crowded conditions at the creamery.

Consequently, in recent weeks, police were stationed at the creamery on weekends to manage traffic flow and to aid motorists navigate the area.

As a safety measure, temporary “no parking” signs have been posted alongside Sugar Street to keep motorists from parking there.

Terry Ferris, representing the creamery, attended a Police Commission session earlier this month to discuss the steps that can be taken to keep the area near the creamery safe for pedestrians and motorists. The police Commission is the local traffic authority.

Of the congestion, Police Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico said, “It’s not good at all. It’s dangerous.”

Ironically, the creamery’s success has caused the crowded conditions and consequent traffic problems, he observed.

Ms Ferris noted that five years ago, the creamery expanded its parking facilities to deal with the growing demand for parking. But the presence of wetlands adjacent to the parking area would prevent an additional parking area expansion, she said.

Ms Ferris said the creamery’s civil engineer has determined how an additional seven parking spaces could be established in existing developed space at the site. She also noted that the creamery’s staff parks elsewhere to keep its parking lot free for customer use.

Mr Mangiafico urged that Ms Ferris contact town land use agency staff members to learn whether there is some way to increase the creamery’s parking area again.

“I don’t want this thing to go on forever,” he said of the parking/congestion problem, he said.

Possible Measures

Following extended discussion, Police Commission members approved requesting that the state Department of Transportation (DOT) study the traffic problem and consider installing permanent “no parking” signs along both sides of Sugar Street in that area.

Police Sergeant Aaron Bahamonde, who heads the police department’s traffic unit, said this week that the DOT is now reviewing the traffic safety aspects of the situation. The sergeant said police also want permanent “no parking” signs installed along Sugar Hill Road in the area, as some motorists have parked there when the creamery’s parking lot is full.

Keeping the driveway access to the creamery safe for the public is important, he said. That means making sure that that motorists and pedestrians there have good sight lines, he said.

When they are stationed at the creamery, the police use a parked police vehicle with its emergency lights flashing for the sake of high visibility.

Sgt Bahamonde said he is optimistic that the parking/congestion problems can be solved.

George Benson, town director of planning, said May 20 that he has discussed the situation with Police Chief Michael Kehoe.

Mr Benson noted that the farmland adjacent to the creamery’s parking area contains wetlands and that land in that area is formally preserved from development under the terms of a conservation easement.

Mr Benson said, “I’m not sure there’s any easy solution.”

“We’re going to pursue everything we can,” he said.

That work will include the study of aerial photos of that area in seeking solutions to the problems, he said.