Newington council reopens debate on seasonal overnight parking; chief reports 155 citations last year

The Newington Town Council revisited its seasonal overnight parking ordinance on Oct. 28, weighing resident hardship against plow-clearance and public-safety concerns.

Chief Perry explained how the ordinance functions and how the police enforce it. "The current nighttime parking ban is 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.; last year we issued 155 citations," the chief said, noting enforcement requires officers to observe an apparent violation twice before issuing a ticket and that exemptions are available but sometimes used liberally. He also described the town's winter-storm protocol: when a storm-specific parking ban is declared, the ordinance typically applies for eight hours after snowfall ends to allow plows to complete routes.

Councilors described competing priorities. Supporters of keeping a seasonal ban said the overnight restriction helps crews and reduces dangerous conditions from parked cars during heavy snow. Councilor Paige said the policy also puts officers into neighborhoods in a crime-mitigation role. Others pressed to narrow the seasonal window or make enforcement storm-specific. "This was written in 1983; we should review it and consider shortening the window or making it storm-specific," one councilor said.

Town Manager Jonathan Ashel said staff has no firm recommendation and offered to prepare draft ordinance language showing options (repeal, shortened seasonal window, or storm-triggered enforcement) for a future meeting. The council agreed to continue the conversation and directed staff to return with specific draft language and impact analysis.

No formal change to the ordinance was adopted on Oct. 28; staff will prepare proposals for a forthcoming council meeting.