Walpole Looking to Put the Brakes on Limo and Taxi Drivers During Gillette Stadium Events

With the New England Patriots playing their first home game of the season Sunday, the Walpole Board of Selectmen are looking to crack down on taxi and limousine drivers who operate in South Walpole during events at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

At their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 4, the board discussed ramping up efforts to fine taxi and limo drivers who stop, stand and park in South Walpole - particularly on Water Street, Neponset Street and Washington Street - during stadium events.

“Apparently some of the limo operators and taxi operators thought that our temporary no parking signs were a joke. So we spent significant time, police officers and others chasing limos off of Water Street and in the South Walpole area during Country Fest,” said Walpole Town Administrator Michael Boynton.

Boynton said that there has been an issue with people parking in the Boyden School parking lot and the South Walpole United Methodist Church parking lot, as well.

“After events at the stadium we have a lot of standing vehicles…it becomes a real nuisance for the residents that are living in that area," he said.

Selectmen Nancy Mackenzie said, “Some of the reason the limos are doing this is that the fee at the stadium to park is whatever it is. So instead of paying that fee and to get out quicker, they’re having their people come down and meet them at Boyden School.”

“I was wondering if we could adopt, with the intent for during stadium events, that the fine would be something comparable to what it would be to park a limo up at the stadium. I think it’s something that we should be, as a board, pushing, that we choose not to do parking,” Mackenzie said.

The selectmen also wanted to express that the fines would be issued throughout all of South Walpole to avoid the issue spreading deeper into town.

“Don’t even drop your folks here," Boynton said. "Because you’re not going to be allowed to come back and wait around to pick them up.”

The board approved a vote to have an electronic message board in South Walpole with a message that reaffirms that limos and taxis that are stopping, standing and parking in South Walpole during stadium events will be subject to a fine.

The board also stated that they would be looking into raising the fine and possibly start towing those in violation.

In addition, Boynton said another issue was taxi cab fares that were originating in Walpole after events at Gillette.

“Specific to the taxi issue, I did note the one taxi company that was very prevalent [during Country Fest] operating in South Walpole and I contacted those folks, the Town Taxi Company, the Monday or Tuesday after Country Fest and informed them that while they are probably complying with the rules and regs (sic) of communities that they originate fares in, in order to bring folks to the stadium, the origination of a fare after the game in the town of Walpole without a license is a violation,” he said. “I suggested that if in fact they want to do that then they need to get a license through the Walpole Board of Selectmen under our new rules and regulations.”