Mayor sets up Parking Task Force

[winterhill.livejournal.com]

Just received this notice from my Alderman.

http://www.somervillema.gov/NewsDetail.cfm?instance_id=1464

Comments

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

You create a Task Force when you want someone else to make the decision. Then you can say you tried to stop it, but the Task Force made their recommendation. You also don't create a Task Force without knowing what its' decision will be (if, as in this case, you've already decided what new rules you wish to implement). There are at least 5 people on the Task Force who work directly for the Mayor. You can bet that some of the others are on his side on this. I've heard several alderman already make comments privately that soon the city will be 'all permit parking'. And as far as hearings go, the summer months are the best time to hold hearings if you don't want a large turnout. This will happen, and it's all about the $$$. The city makes a huge amount of money on parking, which is why they keep hiring PCOs (Parking Control Officers) while laying off elsewhere. And as far as permit parking being for the good of the residents......I have parked on residential streets near Davis for the day, but it's OK because I have a permit. Anyone with a city permit can still clog a residential street, it only prevents 'outisders' from doing it.
Permit Parking:
~You must pay all city tickets to receive a permit.
~You pay for the permit.
~You pay for the guest cards (which by the way come up with huge and bizarre restrictions).
~You will pay excise tax to Somerville, because you must register your car in Somerville.
~If you forget to renew your permit, you will GUARANTEED have a ticket on your car written at 12:01 am on the day after the expiration.
~Your friends who come to visit will receive tickets if you forget about the lovely new tradition of guests coming in, getting the guest pass, then returning it to their car, then reversing the process when the guest leaves.
~You pay if you need to replace a guest pass (it happens, someone drives off with one by mistake, etc.).
Longer-hour meters:
~Ticketed for running out of time on the meter.
~Ticketed because you neglected to bring quarters with you for the meter, thus did not pay.
~Ticketed for feeding the meter (this is illegal and you can bet that it will soon be enforced).