Bristol council OKs limited off‑season parking for Prudence Island ferry commuters

The Town of Bristol council on Dec. 18 adopted a resolution permitting limited overnight parking at the Marina Ferry Dock Park parking lot during the winter off season for Prudence Island commuters.

The resolution, based on a December 11 memo from Harbormaster Greg Marsili, authorizes up to 23 designated spaces, sets a fee of $150 per space and covers the period from Dec. 1 through March 31. The council voted to adopt the resolution after hearing from Michael Thomas Javery of 26 Tanglewood Drive, a Prudence Island resident and petitioner, who described commuters who rely on the ferry for work, school and essential services and said off‑season Marina parking would reduce safety and access problems in residential areas.

The policy is intended to balance winter commuter needs with resident access. Harbormaster Greg Marsili told the council the Marina lot holds roughly 50 spaces and the 23 slots set aside for Prudence Island users would leave more than half the lot available to Bristol residents. Marsili said the spots will be designated by signage and temporary hanging passes in the vehicles’ rearview mirrors until permanent tags are available. Enforcement will involve the police department.

Council members asked how eligibility would be managed; Marsili and the petitioner said the system will be essentially first‑come, first‑served with hanging passes and that the harbor office would provide reasonable accommodations for people with variable schedules. The petitioner estimated about 15 daily commuters would regularly use the spaces but said additional users would need spots occasionally for medical appointments and school transportation.

Town counsel said the council may act by resolution because an existing ordinance, section 16‑382 (entitled in the record as “food and strawberry parking”), already permits the town to set rates and rules for municipal parking. Counsel noted the Harbormaster’s memo specifies eligibility, signage and fees and recommended adopting the Prudence Island off‑season parking policy as written. The council approved the resolution on a voice vote.

Harbormaster Marsili said the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) confirmed it does not control the town’s off‑season parking and that the state agency referenced in the discussion (referred to in the record as “DM”) had no objection to the proposed off‑season arrangement. Marsili also said the recreational boating season typically begins April 15 and that most commercial fishermen have returned by March, which informed the March 31 end date.

The town clerk will implement the program, arrange for signage and temporary hanging passes, and the Harbormaster’s office will coordinate with police for enforcement. The resolution references the Harbormaster memo dated Dec. 11, 2024, for full eligibility and operating details.

Votes and procedural notes: the council moved and seconded the resolution and, after brief discussion, approved it by voice vote.