Medford Traffic Commission Bans Parking Near Tight Fire-Truck Corners

Traffic Commission · Meeting of September 8, 2026

Medford's Traffic Commission votes to strip parking near two fire-truck chokepoints and expand permit parking on Quincy Street. Fire Lieutenant Brennan told the panel crews have had to "abandon the fire trucks and walk" to calls on Metcalfe and Elliott streets, where sharp bends and parked cars have trapped apparatus; commissioners voted 4-0 to bar parking and designate both tow zones despite objections from affected homeowners. Separately, commissioners voted 3-1 to make the last unpermitted block of Quincy Street permit-only after resident Andrew Milne said the block draws "between nine and 10 out-of-state license plates" nightly; Commissioner McGibbon dissented, citing weak majority support.

Parking Director Sarah McDermott also won approval to raise replacement visitor-pass fees to $15 and $20, starting in January 2027, calling it "not a money grab" but a deterrent to permit abuse. A North Street variance exposed an unresolved Medford-Somerville boundary dispute that officials agreed to revisit with Somerville's GIS office.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 2,506 words

Source: the Traffic Commission meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.