By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – An experimental one-way street in Marshfield’s downtown will become permanent. The city’s common council voted 7-to-3 last night in favor of permanently turning the 200 block of East Second into a one-way street to the east with angled parking on the north side.

Alderman Tom Witzel argued and voted against the change. He noted that a survey regarding the change only included those going to the senior and community centers, and excluded nearby residents and other motorists.

Alderman Mike Feirer said most seniors have trouble with parallel parking, so an option with angled parking would make the most sense for the vast majority of those using that portion of Second Street.

On a trial basis, Second became a one-way street from mid-September to Nov. 1, but it was reverted as snow began. The street will remain two-way traffic with parallel parking until next spring when the one-way traffic with angled parking can be implemented with temporary markings. The $34,000 needed to permanently reconfigure the street won’t be available until 2021.

Aldermen Adam Fischer and Peter Hendler joined Witzel in opposing the plan.