Town staff presented details of a proposed Hotspot parking-payment rollout to the Needham Select Board on Jan. 7, describing a late-March beta test and a mid‑April target launch for public use.

Why it matters: the app will add a mobile-payment option for motorists while keeping coins and meters in place; enforcement agents will be able to verify paid sessions through license-plate checks integrated with the town’s ticketing software.

What staff said. JP Kechalia (staff member) summarized the procurement and technical approach: Hotspot, now part of Arcadis, integrates with the town’s existing Passport ticketing system and enforcers’ license-plate scans, he said. The vendor’s acquisition in 2022 and local Boston office were mentioned as background. Kechalia recommended a small pilot and said beta testing would begin at the end of March, with a public launch targeted for mid-April provided no major issues appear.

Fees, coins and signage. Town staff said coin payments will remain available and that the Hotspot convenience fee being proposed to users is $0.35 per session; the town does not lose meter revenue when users choose the app. Board members discussed signage and whether to use bright yellow or blue meter stickers and 12-by-18 signs showing the Hotspot logo. Staff recommended removing language in existing parking regulations that implies weekends are paid until 9 p.m. and modernizing payment rules to reflect digital options.

Security and user guidance. Board members raised QR-code fraud concerns and suggested limiting the sign copy to an instruction to “download the app” rather than including a scannable code on the meter; staff said Hotspot is evaluating non-QR tap options but noted some are more costly and can be vulnerable to vandalism. Kechalia emphasized that the physical meters will remain and coins still accepted.

Next steps. Staff will return with refined signage recommendations and a proposed color. They may recruit a small group of beta testers; if tests go smoothly the launch will proceed in April.