Parking Permit Fees to Increase

Residents who purchase parking permits from the town will see a slight increase in price beginning April 1.

On Monday night, the voted unanimously to raise the parking permit fee to $125 for the second quarter – April 1 to June 30. Previously it cost residents and commuters who work in Winchester $75 for a permit.

These permits are good for the Waterfield, Aberjona and Parking lots. Selectman Jim Johnson also wants to see the town look at selling parking permits to out-of-town commuters for $250 a quarter.

“It’s time we do something about these out-of-town commuters,” Johnson said. “We need to get in line with what other communities charge for parking.”

The Wilmington Line and the Anderson Regional Transportation Center charge $4 a day for parking. Commuters are charged $5.50 a day to park at the Sullivan Square or Wellington Station. And at Alewife, commuters are charged $7 a day to park.

With the increase to $125, it will cost residents $2 a day to park at those lots. And if the board decides to charge commuters $250 for a quarterly permit, it comes out to $4 a day.

The board will also be looking at placing at various locations in town, including along Bacon Street by where a number of commuters park for free as they take the train. Johnson hopes to have some temporary meters in place by July 1.

The board is also concerned about the amount of traffic and congestion commuters create along Bacon Street.

“At some point we need to do something about Bacon Street,” Selectman Forrest Fontana said. “That street has become a safety hazard. We have to get our arms around that area. Out-of-town people are taking advantage of that area.” 

Johnson also would like to have a working pay station at the Wedgemere Lot that will charge $5 a day to park. The board plans on discussing parking meters at those two locations at a later date, and is hopeful to have temporary pay stations in place for the start of the third quarter.