Parade spectators reminded about early-bird seating rule

Residents have been issued their marching orders: Put any chairs and blankets out along the Memorial Day parade route prior to Sunday and they'll be picked up by town crews and discarded. In March 2011, the Police Commission adopted a policy restricting the timeline on parade seating after spectators began staking out viewing spots along the Old Post Road more than a week before the parade actually stepped off.

Since the restriction was imposed, police spokeswoman Sgt. Suzanne Lussier said it appears residents have gotten the message. Any items left on the sidewalks or in the town right-of-way a day before the Monday event "are going to be considered abandoned," she said. "They will be disposed of, so it would behoove residents not to leave" chairs and blankets out in violation of the timeframe.

Lussier said not only was the past practice unsightly, it could pose a hazard for pedestrians.