By JIM AUSTIN
Cooperstown Crier
The mayor and board trustees
plan to meet early Friday morning
to discuss how to proceed with
paid parking.
During their meeting Monday
night, members debated whether
to formulate a plan and present it
to residents or first listen to input
regarding the first season of paid
parking in the Doubleday Field
lot before developing a plan.
A year ago, the board voted to
authorize paid parking in the lot
and on the streets in the business
district. The board opted to implement
paid parking only in the
Doubleday Field lot and purchased
two pay-and-display machines.
Police committee chair Lynne
Mebust said last month that revenue
from the machines totaled
approximately $73,000, which
was short of estimates. Once the
cost of the machines is subtracted,
the revenue was close to
$50,000, but does not include revenue
from tickets written in the
lot.
Monday night Mebust brought
up setting a date for a trustees
workshop on paid parking, but
Mayor Carol Waller said she believed
it would best to hear from
members of the public who are
anxious to relate their feelings
about this year’s experience with
paid parking.
``We can’t make a plan until
we go back and see what happened
this year,’’ she said. ``I
think we need to listen to everyone.’’
Trustee Neil Weiler agreed, ``I
really feel people need to be at the
table. I think there is a lot of valuable
input.’’
Another trustee, Milo Stewart,
asked about creating a parking
committee to look at the issue.
``I’m not against a committee,
but the composition of that committee
is tricky. I’m not sure how
to create a committee that is balanced,’’
said Deputy Mayor Jeff
Katz.
``Paid parking is not a solution
to anything,’’ said Trustee Eric
Hage. ``I don’t think it is constructive
to the overall health of the
village.’’
Mebust agreed that paid parking
is a contentious issue, but reminded
board members that
they’re half way into the implementation
of a local law.
``Everyone has an interest in
seeing the village flourish and
needs to be at the table. I think
we have to involve the entire community
in the process,’’ Weiller
said.
Waller was firm about her belief
that the board should listen
to what the public has to say
about this summer’s experience.
``I would like to hear from the
public before I make any decision,’’
she said.
Main Street businessman Jeff
Foster, of Legends are Forever,
has been an outspoken opponent
of paid parking and said he
doesn’t think the board realizes
that the public perception is that
they don’t listen to the business
community.
``I feel you would be irresponsible
if you don’t
listen to us. I feel like my
business was really hurt
this year,’’ he said.
``I understand you have
a problem with revenues,’’
he added.
He offered the board
$5,000 if it abandoned
paid parking.
``I’m angry because I
don’t feel you understand
what’s at stake,’’ he said.
Waller repeated her
belief the board should
listen to residents.
``I think we have to find
out from everyone how
paid parking went down
this year,’’ she said.
Board members decided
to meet Friday morning
at 8 a.m. to continue
the discussion.
inactive
October 23, 2008
Board to discuss paid parking Friday
- inactive
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- Olympic rower launches program A two-time Olympic rower and head coach of Cooperstown Crew will be starting a new indoor rowing program in partnership with the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club.
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