AMHERST — Many decisions around public ways, such as implementing traffic calming devices, extending sidewalks and reserving parking, could be made by a new Transportation and Parking Commission, if the Town Council agrees to its creation and the delegation of certain responsibilities.

More than a year after the concept of such a commission was first put out by Town Manager Paul Bockelman, the Town Council this week agreed to have the Town Service and Outreach Committee explore the idea, which in a memo from Bockelman states “would be charged with making policy decisions on transportation and parking issues and reviewing and approving staff recommendations for changes to the public way.”

His memo provides a draft charge and potential changes to the Town Council’s “Policy Regarding Control and Regulation of Public Ways.”

Bockelman told councilors it can be frustrating for residents to get something changed in a public way, and that, in addition, some topics can be time consuming for Town Council, such as when utility poles need to be moved.

“The goal of this is to help both the residents who are asking for changes, and we anticipate there will be a lot more changes coming forward with traffic calming and things like that, and is there a better way for the Town Council to make the ultimate final decision,” Bockelman said.

He added that a “cumbersome process” exists when a resident is seeking changes, whether it be paving a road, installing stop signs or speed humps or changing a road to one way, writing in the memo, “Residents — and members of the Town Council — have been frustrated by the seeming opaque process for making decisions about transportation issues, most frequently about making improvements to roads and sidewalks, setting priorities, and establishing funding. In addition, there is not a clear venue for people with neighborhood issues to present their concerns or budget requests.”

Creation of the new commission would mean delegating responsibilities to a group that would have a townwide overview of transportation systems.

Bockelman said he has looked at how other cities handle such commissions. His proposal would be for the commission to have seven members, including the police chief or designee, superintendent of Department of Public Works or designee, planning director or designee, a member of the Commission on Disabilities and three residents.

The commission would replace the Transportation Advisory Committee, which offers input and advice to the Town Council. In addition, his memo notes other similar committees in the past, including the Public Works Committee, the Public Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and the Downtown Parking Working Group.

The town charter created a Board of Licensed Commissioners to address liquor, common victualer and food cart licenses.

“That seems to have worked really well,” Bockelman said, observing it handles suspensions of licenses for restaurants, bars and package stores and holds hearings when there are infractions.

For councilors, there are possible pros and cons, but they are ready to have a committee examine, with reports back to the Town Council by Oct. 21.

District 1 Councilor Cathy Schoen said it’s excellent to move in the direction, but there will need to be clear and consistent policies and definitions, such as what is meant by traffic calming.

At large Councilor Mandi Jo Hanneke said she is concerned about the lack of a councilor serving on the commission and worries about too much specifity of those residents who would serve and their expertise. She also wondered if a decision is made to permanently close a road or abandon a sidewalk, if that would be made by the Town Council instead.

“In general, I support the idea of this commission,” said District 4 Councilor Pam Rooney, but adding that permanent changes to the public way by a body other than the Town Council makes her uncomfortable.

District 1 Councilor Ndifreke Ette wondered if such a commission didn’t work, if the powers delegated would return to councilors. Council President Lynn Griesemer said this would likely be the case.

Still, Griesemer said an unbelievable amount of work done by the Board of License Commissioners in granting alcohol licenses has been good for the Town Council, and she sees establishing a panel for roads, sidewalks and parking lots as a new chance for citizen engagement in a meaningful ways.

“I think we need to find more of those opportunities,” Griesemer said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.