The previously purchased parking machines—part of a plan to transition Elm Street and sections of South Avenue to a pay-for-parking system—should be installed by the end of August, officials say.
The Parking Commission received an update on the new paid parking initiative at its Aug. 6 meeting.
Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg told the Commission that “the machines are scheduled to arrive in late August” and “the hope is to have them installed by the end of the month.”
“Right now, we are working on preparing the concrete bases so everything will be ready for installation when the machines arrive,” Miltenberg told the Commission at its regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “We are also working on updating the signage on the streets and lots. We have discussed what the signs should look like and what they should say so that the parking rules of certain areas are clear to everybody.”
She continued: “We are also going to put together a handout for our merchants so that if people come into the store wanting to know about parking, the merchants have a handout to give them. We are hoping to have a QR Code on that handout, which will bring people to the parking department homepage with a map of the parking areas on it.”
When discussing the ease with which the machines can be used, Miltenberg mentioned that instructions will be provided on the machines’ touch-screen interface.
“If you go up to the machine and touch the screen, it will walk you through how to pay,” she said.
Miltenberg also mentioned that moving forward, people will have to pay for disabled spots on Elm Street, and possibly other lots as well.
Commission Secretary Kevin Karl asked if there would be a “learning period” where people would not be ticketed once the machines are installed.
Miltenberg said: “We’re going to be out there teaching and showing people how the machines work. But, yes, there will be a grace period. It won’t go from nothing to all-out ticketing. It’s going to be a learning curve, and we will give people plenty of time to learn.”
Miltenberg’s primary emphasis to the Commission was the importance of transparency while the change occurs.
“Communication for this upcoming initiative is the key,” she said. “We want to make sure we communicate properly what is changing and what is staying the same. We want this transition to go as smoothly as possible.”
Would love if all those in charge of municipal parking decisions could have a conversation with those who need an accessible parking permit about charging for accessible parking, and reconsider this choice! Know we had this discussion a few years ago, but seems we need a refresher. Looks like it’s not too late to change our minds here.