Watertown council leans to split-day downtown no‑parking schedule, supports stronger fine and towing authority

Street Superintendent Rob Behnen told the Watertown City Council on May 12 that the city’s current downtown street‑sweeping schedule — every other Thursday, 3–7 a.m., May through October — often cannot be completed because parked vehicles block crews.

Behnen presented four options to reduce vehicle interference: (1) no parking on all downtown streets and avenues every Thursday, 4–7 a.m., May–October; (2) no parking on downtown streets every Wednesday, 4–7 a.m., and no parking on downtown avenues every Thursday, 4–7 a.m., May–October; (3) alternating Thursdays (first/third Thursdays for streets, second/fourth Thursdays for avenues) from 4–7 a.m.; and (4) retain the current schedule. Behnen estimated about $11,000 in materials for implementing signage but said the estimate did not include labor.

Police Chief Toomey and Behnen jointly recommended a one‑day approach for operational simplicity but said option 2 — splitting streets and avenues on different days — might be less disruptive to residents because it lets people “park around the corner.” Toomey urged starting with warnings and then moving to tickets and, if necessary, towing: “One thing I would advise is if we do make ... a new ordinance, not going with just simply the sign ordinance because it is only a $15 fine. And, I mean, I'd pay $15 not to have to get out of bed,” he said.

Council discussion focused on balancing efficient sweeping with impacts on downtown residents and businesses. Members raised concerns about early morning deliveries, distance to public parking (Behnen said the city has 10 public lots downtown and some residents may be up to several blocks from a lot), and summertime business hours that start earlier. Behnen told council the street division generally operates three sweepers (two in regular use, a third seasonal spare) and that two sweepers could often complete downtown work in the proposed two‑to‑three hour window.

Several council members argued for stronger penalties than the existing sign ordinance provides. Chief Toomey suggested a $40 fine that doubles if unpaid after 72 hours and said towing could be used when vehicles remain three days or when a repeat offender is identified; council asked that towing authority be included in any ordinance so it would be available as a last resort. Councilman Danforth cautioned that towing should be rare and urged discretion by enforcement officers.

There was no formal vote to change ordinances at the meeting. The mayor and multiple council members expressed a preference for option 2 (streets one day, avenues the other) and approval of a $40 fine with towing authority to be drafted into ordinance language. The council asked staff to consult downtown business owners and return with a recommended schedule and the proposed ordinance language for formal consideration.

Next steps: staff will meet with downtown business owners and prepare draft ordinance revisions (including proposed fines and towing language) and recommended signage for council review. No formal ordinance change or vote was taken at the May 12 session.