Selectmen To Revisit Potential Parking Meter Increases On The Avenue

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Selectmen is scheduled to revisit and discuss the possible parking meter fee increases on Greenwich Avenue, but there are some issues with the proposal, according to First Selectman Fred Camillo.

In his weekly newsletter to the community last Friday, Camillo reiterated he and his colleagues had concerns about the increases.

"My colleagues and myself understand the need to raise rates but have some concerns about the percentage increase being proposed and what it could mean for people on limited incomes," Camillo said.

Greenwich Deputy Police Chief Kraig Gray, who also heads the town's parking services department, first went before the selectmen in February to outline the fee increases.

Of note, the meter rate for parking on Greenwich Avenue would double from $1 to $2 per hour, at 50 cents per 15 minutes of permitted use.

Gray told the selectmen that he hoped the fee changes would encourage the dispersal of parking on Greenwich Avenue into the long term lots.

Additionally, long term 12 hour parking meters in central Greenwich would increase from 75 cents to $1 per hour. It would cost 25 cents per 15 minutes rather than 20 minutes.

Fees for long term 15 minute parking through two-hour parking meters would increase to $1.50 per hour, up from $1, and 50 cents per 20 minutes, up from 25 cents for 15 minutes.

The proposed meter rates are roughly aligned with neighboring towns, Gray said.

Gray went back before the selectmen on March 9, and said parking services had received feedback, and that there was more of an interest in central Greenwich parking permits.

During that meeting, Camillo said he, too, received feedback from people on fixed incomes who questioned the proposal.

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin and Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan voiced concerns about the percentage increase.

Rabin suggested a phased-in approach where there would be a six-month evaluation period before putting in the full proposed increase.

Gray said he wanted to "create a value" to park in the long-term lots.

This week's Board of Selectmen meeting features a packed agenda. It's scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday from Town Hall. It will be broadcast Greenwich Community TV on YouTube and Zoom.