By Aaron Rubin, Standard Correspondent
The Town of Reading’s decision to discourage access to Jenne Road and its namesake farm to tourists during peak foliage season has been an overall success, according to officials.
Selectboard Chair Gordy Eastman said he heard from residents that signage placed along Jenne Road has helped to slow down traffic on the route and prevent tourists from using it and its properties as essentially a public parking space.
“They didn’t have nearly the amount of disruption as they did the year before or in previous weeks,” said Eastman.
Residents had raised concerns to the selectboard at its last meeting on Oct. 2 about the high influx of tourists during foliage season, who are disrespectful towards their properties and the surrounding fields of Jenne Farm. The board responded by posting signage to deter excess traffic.
Other traffic issues have cropped up as a result. Because access to Jenne Road has been largely denied to foliage tourists, some people have taken to parking along Route 106, acknowledged Eastman. While tourists are staying off Jenne Road for the most part, they continued to use driveways of property owners on Route 106 for parking, “so they’ve changed some of the topography,” said Eastman.
One of the road closure signs along Jenne Road was also knocked down by a motorist who drifted off the road on Oct. 9, added Eastman.
However, residents believe the town’s action is working, said Eastman. This has given the selectboard ideas for measures to take next foliage season.
“Maybe next year, we could put a couple of barrels by the sign, or maybe a little more notifications on the road,” said Eastman.
Meanwhile, at Jenne Farm, Chase Jenne of the farm’s trust ownership said the town’s actions have “helped out a lot.” He said they were able to alleviate traffic congestion at the top of the farm’s hill last weekend and prevent trespassing onto the fields.
“It helped out being up there most of the weekend and keeping people at bay and not driving through,” said Jenne. “People have been adhering to the signs and staying off the field which is good. I haven’t seen a lot of foot traffic in the fields, which was nice to see.”
Road closure and ‘local traffic only’ signage along Jenne Road will come down at the end of foliage season in the middle of October, said Eastman.