Camden split over paid parking: board debates independent review, petition and whether to suspend program

The Camden select board spent more than an hour discussing whether to form an independent Financial Review Committee to evaluate the towns paid-parking program and whether the town should suspend or alter the program midseason.

What was proposed: The review committee was described as an independent, citizen-led panel intended to consolidate existing analyses and data on costs, capital expenses and expected revenue so the public would have a single readable report. The committees proposed work would include financial review and presentation ahead of any nonbinding referendum or public discussion.

Petition, data and debt figures: Alex Cohen reported that a citizen petition to bring a charter amendment to the town clerk had collected about 725 signatures and will require time to certify. Town staff provided interim revenue figures during the update: a staff member said roughly $18,000 had been collected over the most recent 13 days; another staff figure cited $67,000 collected at the public landing between May 1 and Oct. 15. One select-board participant said the program carried about $400,000 to $430,000 in outstanding program-related debt.

Divisions on timing and scope: Supporters of a fast independent review said consolidated data would give voters a clear picture before a November referendum; opponents said a single season of data is necessary to make a valid assessment and argued the committee would be premature if the board intended to suspend the program immediately. "If you're going to stop it midseason, don't start this committee now," a resident and several board members said.

Motion and vote: A motion to commit the board to not suspending, altering or changing the paid-parking program for the remainder of the season was made but failed on a 3-2 tally, leaving the programs immediate status unresolved. Board members said the matter will return to the July 21 agenda and residents can expect additional votes or a citizen ballot process later in the year.

Voices from downtown: Business owners and residents described mixed experiences at kiosks: some said kiosks and signage caused customer confusion and lost sales, while others said kiosks improved turnover and freed spaces for visitors. Speakers urged clearer signage, improved kiosk reliability and, for the committee, inclusion of nonfinancial impacts such as business effects and parking-turnover measures.

Next steps: The board agreed to revisit the issue at a future meeting; speakers urged that an independent review include a full season of data, clear definitions of the committees charge, and metrics beyond pure revenue to assess the programs impacts on downtown merchants and the town budget.