Fed up with a congested street that made passage impossible for emergency vehicles at times, South Street residents convinced Selectmen to limit parking to one side.

The entire neighborhood, save for one or two homeowners, packed the board’s Tuesday  meeting and aired its frustrations.

“This has been going on for a number of years. It’s always been a problem,” said Lee Vulgaris. “This year with the new construction it’s truly been exacerbated.”

Town Administrator Paul Dawson said he received numerous complaints this summer regarding the street. On no less than six occasions, the Fire Department was asked to see if emergency vehicles could navigate the street. They could not due to commercial and other vehicles parked there.

In one instance, a fire truck responding to a gas leak was delayed as crew members were unable to pass.

“It’s a public safety concern,” Dawson said. Police Chief Lincoln Miller and Department of Public Works Superintendent Rob Zora were then notified and looked into the issue.

Both recommended restricting commercial vehicles from parking on one side of the street from June to September. For the rest of the year, commercial vehicles would be allowed on that side of the street for 30 minutes.

Zora said removing those parking spots, which accommodate approximately 20 vehicles, pushed the problem to adjacent streets.

Residents asked why they had to deal with the problem for the past few years.

“In reality you don’t lose a lot of cars,” Vulgaris said. “Why should Main Street not have a problem while we do?”

It appeared Selectmen would approve Miller’s and Zora’s recommendation until Chair Stephen Cushing asked how many residents were in favor of a complete restriction.

With 12 residents in attendance and two others giving their proxy to Vulgaris in favor of the change, board members unanimously voted to restrict parking on the southerly side of South Street from Pleasant Street to Water Street year round.

Cushing said street signs noting the restriction will be installed soon.