Westfield council raises authorized cap on daily parking pass to $25, says council must approve actual price

The Town Council adopted an ordinance that increases the maximum not‑to‑exceed price for a daily parking pass to $25, and authorizes selling daily permits in the Watterson Street lot to expand availability. The change is intended to provide the council and administration flexibility in managing daily permit supply and demand.

Council members emphasized that the ordinance only raises the cap; any specific fee below the cap would be set later by council resolution. One council member noted the ordinance language provides that the daily fee "shall be available for a daily fee up to $25 as such amount may be set by the mayor and town council by resolution," which means the council must vote on any price increase by resolution before it takes effect.

Why it matters: Council members said the change will allow the town to increase the number of daily permits and to adjust distribution by day of week — for example, offering more permits on Mondays and Fridays to match commuter patterns. The current $5 daily rate has not been changed in more than 20 years, council members said, and the town plans a broader review of parking and pricing strategies later this summer.

Discussion vs. action: The ordinance (General Ordinance 20‑25‑14) was adopted on second reading; council discussion focused on oversight and the mechanics of setting the final fee. The adopted ordinance sets a legal cap; actual fee levels require a subsequent council resolution.

Additional details: Council members said the $25 ceiling is a not‑to‑exceed amount and that the town will consider pricing and distribution changes as part of a wider parking strategy review.