Drivers in Boothbay Harbor may see changes to town parking rules in the upcoming season, including an extended enforcement period. March 11, the selectboard reviewed over 20 ordinance changes to bring to public hearing March 25. Some were around harbor policies, mooring rules and the appeals board. However, most concerned parking. 

Some revisions included updating location references with street names rather than businesses, such as the defunct Bob’s Photo and TV. Others aligned parking costs with the town’s fee schedule. In addition, the town may no longer accept coins for parking, accepting payment by card or an app. The draft also eliminated three-hour, one-hour and 24-minute spaces from the ordinances because they existed on paper but not on the streets. The meeting followed the selectboard’s approving of a new digital parking enforcement system Feb. 26, as reported in the Register.

Police Chief Doug Snyder said the town asked him to suggest ordinance changes to increase efficiency, and he said has done considerable research into how other towns handle parking.

“The ordinances really need to be updated, they just haven't been updated in years,” Snyder said. “Just by digging into it, I've got a hold of it as much as I could. And in talking with all these other agencies, I think that this is the way to go.” 

The changes also propose extending parking enforcement by two hours, until 8 p.m. across all spaces. According to Snyder, the busiest hours are from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in towns like Boothbay Harbor because people are going out for the evening. Snyder said he saw an opportunity if the town puts the money toward the general fund or back into parking.  

“There are departments and agencies that are making millions of dollars off parking,” he said. “And I don't think that we can get to that level because we don't have enough parking spaces. But can we take a little bit off of the taxpayers’ burdens ... by having more of an income on parking? I think so.” 

He said the changes may also address other parking issues: Some people don’t currently pay for parking because the ticket is just as expensive as the rate. Although he said he doesn't expect to raise rates, he hopes the changes uniformly address fees and enforcement across town. He was not sure how much money the town would make or how the two-hour expansion would impact downtown business.  

“I don't know how it's going to affect us,” he said. “But if we don't try something different, how are we going to know what works or what doesn't? I look at this as a five-year project to figure out ... what is going to be appropriate and work right for the town.” 

The would-be changes were the result of several meetings between town officials and members of the selectboard, port committee, appeals board and planning board. However, many of the ordinances brought up with the planning board were not brought forward, awaiting input from a planning consultant. 

“There was significant agreement and consensus around the planning board and selectboard that we wanted to get these done and done correctly,” chair Michal Tomko said in response to a public comment on the missing ordinances. “And so bringing in the additional help for review and talking about the implications and the effects of it we felt it was time well spent to be able to bring on a consultant for that.” 

Most of the ordinance changes were to clarify language, and the board moved forward with minimal discussion. However, they requested further review on an ordinance specifying rules for appointing members to vacant positions on the appeals board. Each ordinance has been reviewed by the town attorney who will also consider any changes, according to Town Manager Julia Latter. The board unanimously approved the draft ordinances, pending two edits, and scheduled a public hearing March 25, with a possible second public hearing on another date. 

In other business, Latter reported the final draft of the town budget could come out as soon as the next selectboard meeting, March 25. She said there will be an increase in the budget but complimented the selectboard and budget committee for making the process smooth and the department heads for “really putting their heads together to be creative, prudent and fiscally responsible.”