Time may be up for new parking prices
By George P. Hassett

  For the past six months, a quarter has been worth more than 25 cents at a Somerville parking meter ‚Äì it has been motivation to speak up and speak out. The increase in parking meter fees instituted six months ago has been met with near unanimous disapproval from business owners, residents and, this week, elected officials.
  ‚ÄúI hope we can see the error of our ways, admit this has not worked and put it behind us,‚Äù said Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane at Thursday‚Äôs Board of Alderman meeting. 

   Trane put forth a resolution asking that Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone review the current parking meter fee structure with the intent of lowering the cost of parking in Somerville. Currently, 25 cents buys 15 minutes of parking in the city, six months ago it bought 30.
   ‚Äú25 cents is just too expensive for 15 minutes,‚Äù said Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero.
    In addition, motorists can now park in a space for only one hour during the afternoon.
   ‚ÄúIt is clear the 1 hour lunch limit is hurting business in Magoun Square which is struggling as it is and needs all the help it can get,‚Äù said Alderman-At-Large Denise Provost.
    The Magoun Square Dunkin‚Äô Donuts provides customers with change to put in the meters. The change is given to customers to allay their fears of aggressive meter maids and amounts to about $15 a day, said Dunkin‚Äô Donuts General Manager Victor Vogis.
    Trane said the current parking climate in the city is troubling.
    ‚ÄúWe want consumers to enjoy their lunch in Somerville and not have a nerve wracking experience of looking out for the meter maid,‚Äù he said.
    It is not only business outlets and consumers who have suffered, said Uptown Johnny D‚Äôs Co-Owner Carla DeLellis, but also the many people who work in Somerville.
   ‚ÄúThere is very little employee parking anywhere in city, and none at Johnny D‚Äôs. That means, for people who drive to work, they are automatically making $1 less an hour. People are barely getting by as it is without having their salaries cut into even more,‚Äù she said.
     As a result, DeLellis has published a survey (see bottom of page 7) designed to generate feedback from everybody affected by the increase.
    ‚ÄúWith the survey I am hoping to get some concrete feedback from people throughout the city, so we are dealing with numbers and facts, and then present it to the elected officials,‚Äù she said.
    In the summer of last year, Curtatone touted the increased meter prices as a boost for local businesses. Doubling the price would yield a higher turnaround for parking spaces and thus bring more customers ‚Äì and more money ‚Äì to businesses that once suffered from all-day parkers occupying valuable spaces, he said.
    In the time since the changes were implemented, city business leaders have agreed Curtatone‚Äôs assertions have not come to fruition.
    ‚ÄúIn business districts across the city, we have constantly heard of the negative impact of this policy,‚Äù said Chamber of Commerce President Steve Mackey. ‚ÄúI think you could have predicted there would be some opposition to any price increase but nobody could have predicted a backlash this strong.‚Äù
    Curtatone would not comment.
    City spokesperson Thomas Champion said, ‚ÄúWhen this plan was first implemented it was noted that the city will examine its consequences after six months. Obviously any input we get is of great interest. We will look at the effects and come back with a decision in a couple of weeks.‚Äù
    DeLellis warned that if the administration chooses to maintain the increased fees, Somerville will soon lose its funky, inviting charm and, along with that, much of its commercial appeal.
    ‚ÄúDavis Square boomed in the 90s because it had this unique, welcoming atmosphere and the entire city really benefited. Policies like doubling the price to park only hurts that growth,‚Äù she said. ‚ÄúIf it continues, people will find other places to go.‚Äù