MECHANIC FALLS — The Town Council on Monday approved changing Yates Street from two-way to one-way from Highland Avenue to Pine Street and to allow parking along the left side.

Parking along Yates Street, which is short, has been prohibited for years. It is also 22 feet wide, which is a good six feet narrower than most town streets.

At a public hearing before the vote, residents complained that, given the layout of the neighborhood, visitors simply had no place to park except along the street.

The issue arose a month ago when residents approached the council after a citizen filed an official complaint with the Police Department about people parking on Yates Street. Police Chief Jeffrey Gossout told residents that Yates Street was posted and his department had no choice but to enforce the parking ban.

The council’s approval to allow parking goes into effect as soon as Public Works employees post one-way signs and paint white lines to indicate where parking is allowed.

In other business, the council:

* Presented Public Works Director Scott Penney with a Spirit of America Award on behalf of the town;

* Approved liquor license renewals for Harvest Hill and Shooters Sports Pub;

* Approved new liquor licenses for Dad’s Place, allowing beer and wine consumption in the recently completed addition, and for Crooked Hook Tavern, opening at 5 North Main St. in the space formerly occupied by the Mason Jar;

* Tabled action of a request from the Recreation Committee for a beer tent during an Adult 24 Hours Softball Game scheduled for July; the request will be considered at a special meeting June 20;

* Voted to accept the resignation of Dave Stimson as Emergency Management Agency director and appointed Fred Sturtevant to replace him, effective sometime in July.

Councilors were told Stimson would be resigning after 30 years of service and they should honor him and Wade Boston, who recently retired as a 30-year member of the Fire Department.