Dear Editor:

I am glad to say that almost every summer for nearly 30 years my wife and I, and family have enjoyed coming to the Boothbay-Damariscotta area to stay at my in-laws’ cottage on the river in Edgecomb. (And this current summer was no exception!) We love it!

This summer I parked our van with kayak holders on top (kayaks, too, before removed) and have to admit my guilt in parking in a "Boater Parking without a Permit" in the main public parking lot facing the river in Damariscotta. (I parked one space over from the kayak rack facing the water, not in a space designed for car or trucks with boat trailers). 

Clearly, "my bad" not reading the sign fully as I should.

(By the way, these "Boater Permit Parking" spots are for vehicles only for the moored boats only in the Harbor and permits are limited.)

I emailed the Damariscotta town manager who in turn forwarded the email to the Damariscotta Chief of Police and pleaded for at least a reduction in the $25 ticket with no luck. (No response from the chairman of the board of selectmen, sent care of the town clerk.)

(I did mention that the longer we park — albeit better legally — the more money we are likely to spend!)

Bottom line: While I understand that the parking issue in Damariscotta has been a hot issue, it needs again to be readdressed.

We, like others, want to park our vehicle and kayak (and shop), be it a round-trip or down river to the cottage one way or one way the cottage to Damariscotta.

So ... we need a parking space with a longer time limit that also allows fairly close water access near the boat access ramp for those of us not quite as young as we were during our last visit!

Call it simple sour grapes on my part, but I was hoping for some good old public relations and part of the ticket fee “forgiven” or adjusted down ($25 is a fairly hefty penalty) and I hope by next summer that Damariscotta can provide more time sensitive parking for the ever growing popularity of kayaking in this beautiful area.

Robert (Bob) Devost
Jericho, Vt.