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Selectmen authorize FlowBird parking pay machines, shifting downtown to pay‑by‑plate and app integration
Summary
The board approved a $91,775 contract for nine FlowBird parking pay machines and discussed operational changes including pay‑by‑plate, app integrations, forced rotation after two hours, and making the Park Street upper lot free with extended time.
The Board of Selectmen on May 6 unanimously approved a $91,775 contract with FlowBird for nine new parking pay machines to be installed along Elm Street and South Avenue.
The town plans to move to pay‑by‑plate (license‑plate based payments) rather than pay‑by‑space, add two widely used mobile payment services (ParkMobile and Passport) so visitors can pay from their phones, and standardize machines across lots and on‑street spaces. The machines are solar powered (with a few hardwired exceptions at the train station) and feature color touch screens and contactless payments such as Apple Pay.
Why it matters: town staff said the change is intended to make downtown parking easier for visitors and enforce a forced rotation after two hours to increase turnover on Elm Street. Under the proposed rules, after two hours on‑street a motorist must leave the street for at least one hour before re‑parking; license‑plate recognition and back‑office integration with enforcement tools will help implement that rule. The town will retain physical enforcement; officers will continue to patrol and issue citations rather than relying on automatic electronic ticketing.
Parking policy changes discussed at the meeting include making the Park Street upper lot (about 100 spaces) free and adding an hour of time there to compensate for moving 75 prime Elm Street spaces to paid status. Staff said they will undertake public education including demonstrations for seniors and outreach to downtown businesses; FlowBird will assign a project manager and provide marketing assistance during rollout.
Installation timing: staff asked the board to act now because the vendor has a 12‑week delivery lead time, and the town hopes to have machines in place during the summer. Suggested machine locations include multiple spots along Elm Street and both sides of South Avenue near Dunkin' Donuts and the bagel store. The board asked staff to circulate a location map and to coordinate merchant outreach and signage.
Board action: motion to approve the contract passed unanimously.
