By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- After hearing concerns for motorists’ and Jefferson Elementary students’ safety due to traffic congestion near the school, the village board voted on Tuesday to restrict parking on that block.

There is now no parking or standing allowed near Jefferson Elementary on the east side of Victory Road between Barnhart and Bayley Road; on the south side of Bayley Road between Victory Road and Chamberlain Road and on the north side beginning at the school entrance extending 30 feet west.

Standing is now prohibited on both sides of Victory Road, between Barnhart and Bayley Road.

Colin Lucid, who works as a district crossing guard, said during a public hearing prior to the vote that the law is a good move.

“I’ve watched buses … almost hit cars,” he said, noting that they have a wide turn radius that put the parked cars in danger. “Last year, a bus hit a car because there’s no swing room. It’s a matter of time before someone’s going to have a bad accident.”

“I think it’s a no-brainer. We can’t mess around with safety,” Trustee Matt Lebire said.

The original proposal only restricted parking.

Police Chief Mark LaBrake said he had recently been in the area and asked people to move to let buses through and they replied “I’m not parking, I’m standing.”

Mayor Tim Currier and all of the trustees present, Trustee Tim Ahlfeld wasn’t at the meeting, said they didn’t get any public feedback prior to the meeting. The proposition had been reported in the media several weeks in advance.

“I imagine once the signs go up we’ll get feedback,” Currier said.