Hearing set on Fort Williams parking-fee system proposal

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06/13/06

Hearing set on Fort Williams parking-fee system proposal

The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 14, 2006, on a proposal for a pay-display system for parking at Fort Williams Park.

The council June 12 received a report from a working group charged with developing a proposal for the pay-display system, where a machine or kiosk would accept payments and issue a ticket allowing visitors to park at Fort Williams.

The group's report describes the machines as "solar powered."

"After parking your car you walk to the nearest meter and insert payment. Meters accept cash, credit and debit cards," said Town Councilor Mary Ann Lynch, reading from the report. "The machine will print out a dated receipt, which you would then put on the inside of your vehicle’s window. Some machines will print out a 2-part receipt (Smart Meter, among others, has this technology). The other half of the receipt could be used for discounts at the gift shop, or even a free museum admission. Some have suggested that it could also be used for paid advertising, such as one finds on their Hannaford receipts."

Lynch chaired the working group, which was established by the council last month. The group met three times since then to develop the report.

The report lists 13 recommendations, the first one being that Cape Elizabeth residents be allowed to park for free. "Cape residents already fund the park and should not be required to pay for parking," Lynch said.

Non-residents, however, should be charged $5 a day for parking, or $25 for a season pass. Tour buses and trolleys should be charged $20 per day, or $100 per season, and all school buses, including those from neighboring school districts, should be allowed free parking during the school year only.

The report proposes an April 1, 2007 start date for the system, if it is approved by the council.

"This may not be accepted as a whole or in part, but at least we have something the council can vote on that is very specific," Lynch said. One of the goals of the Town Council this year is to provide a public hearing opportunity on a specific proposal or proposals to raise additional revenue at Fort Williams Park.

Lynch estimated a startup cost for the system of $50,000, including an extra park ranger for enforcement next summer. Visitor counts have not been taken at Fort Williams since the 1980s, Lynch said, and there is no specific estimate of how much revenue the system will generate. However, she said, "Everyone in the working group felt comfortable that setting fees at this level would clearly cover the cost of implementation."

Net revenues would be used for operation and maintenance of the park, with any additional moneys going toward capital improvements. The town has a capital-improvement plan for the park, which includes, Lynch said, a plan to repair and maintain the Goddard Mansion as a ruin. "This is a real opportunity, in my view, to bring the park up to where it should be," she said.

The council will take a more detailed look at costs associated with the pay-display system proposal at a workshop June 22.

The vote to receive the report June 12 was unanimous. Votes to set the public hearing and the workshop meeting were approved 6-1, with Councilor Carol Fritz opposed.

Lynch emphasized that the system is not an entrance fee, but a fee for parking only. Pedestrians, cyclists and people who just want to drive through the park would not be charged. "The view is still free," Lynch said.

Councilor Michael Mowles, who served on the working group, said he has already heard from several non-residents who oppose the system. He encouraged citizens to attend the August hearing, and to call or email councilors with feedback on the proposal. (Click here for contact information)

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