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Paid parking and enforcement returns to council agenda after extended debate
Summary
Council spent extensive time discussing whether to pursue paid beach and downtown parking, enforcement options (two-hour turnover, seasonal meters or permits), and tying parking revenue to specific projects; members agreed to place the topic on a near-term agenda for a focused review.
The New Shoreham Town Council devoted substantial discussion to paid parking options for the beach and downtown areas, including seasonally limited paid parking, app-based meters, sticker permits for rental households, and enforcement strategies.
Council members said paid parking could be targeted to specific capital projects (for example, moving a beach house or paying for additional enforcement), and emphasized the need to balance revenue goals with strong public pushback and local cultural objections. One longtime member observed that parking on the island is "cultural," cautioning that any program must consider local sentiment.
Specific ideas raised included seasonal enforcement (May 15
September 15), two-hour downtown turnover with consistent enforcement, and exploring sticker models where rental properties would purchase parking permits for multiple vehicles. Residents urged the council to compare potential revenue against enforcement costs; public commenter David Lewis warned that continuous monitoring could require dedicated CSO staffing and diminish net revenue.
Council concluded the conversation by asking staff to place a detailed parking-policy discussion on a near-term agenda (target: January) with clearer goals and cost estimates for enforcement and revenue modeling.
