Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parking Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts Foster Street parking ordinance after amendments fail; split vote recorded
Summary
The Westbrook City Council approved an amendment to parking regulations on Foster Street after debate over proposed amendments and public comment; the measure passed 5‑1‑1 with one dissent and one absence.
President Pro‑Tempore Victor Chau presided over a heated discussion and vote on Tuesday as the Westbrook City Council considered Order 2026‑01, an amendment to the city’s parking code affecting Foster Street.
Councilor Brian McCambridge moved the ordinance change to amend provisions in Section 310‑71 and Schedule II (parking prohibited). Councilor Gary Rairdon offered a proposed amendment to change the new language to designate a "Loading and Unloading Zone," which was seconded by President Pro‑Tempore Chau and discussed on the floor. A separate proposal to change a segment from the crosswalk to the end of Foster Street to a "2 Hour Parking" designation failed for lack of a second. Public comment included remarks from Carson Wood of 20 Foster St. and Eric Dudley, the city’s Director of Public Services & Engineering, who had earlier briefed the council on recent street and collection issues.
After deliberation and the failed amendment attempts, the council reverted to the original motion and approved Order 2026‑01. The final vote was 5 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilor Rairdon), and 1 absence (Council President Munro). The ordinance will amend the cited parking code sections as described in the order.
The discussion focused on balancing curb‑use needs for loading and resident parking on a short residential arterial; councilors asked staff about implementation and signage. No timetable for signage installation or enforcement changes was specified in the meeting minutes.
Next steps: the ordinance is adopted as written; staff will implement the updated parking controls and provide any necessary operational details to the council in subsequent communications or committee follow‑up.
