Annual Train Station Parking Fees Increased $100

Facing rising costs and a deficit in funds, the Board of Selectman voted on Wednesday to increase the annual train station parking pass from $225 to $325 at both Saugatuck and Green’s Farms.

Daily users, such as those on the waiting list for the coveted annual pass, will now pay $5 for daily parking rather than $4. These are the first fee increases in seven years and are effective July 1.

The original proposal by the Westport Police Department was to make annual parking $400, but the selectmen balked at increasing fees that high.

“It’s a large jump and a jump I think, in reflection, doesn’t have to be as large,” said First Selectman Gordon Joseloff.

Selectman Shelley Kassen proposed the $325 number and urged police to enforce parking fees in the evening in order to generate revenues.

“I think a hundred dollar increase is even. It’s understandable,” she said.

Charlie Haberstroh was opposed to that number and wanted to see an increase to only $300, which he said would leave flexibility if fees had to be gradually increased in the future.

Although part of the parking lots are owned by the state, railroad parking, a division of the Westport Police Department, is responsible for security, maintenance and even snow removal. Dep. Chief Dale Call said that the harsh winter put the budget $100,000 over the top. Furthermore, even electricity costs are on the rise.

The biggest cost, he said, is the rising price of employees. Three full-time officers are part of the division, and even with a pair of layoffs in the current fiscal year, health and pension costs are still high.

According to Cale, expenditures have risen by 47 percent since 2003-04, when the last fee hike was implemented.

Even with the fee increase, Westport’s train station parking is cheaper than many surrounding towns.

$42/month for residents. $84/month for non-residents

$279-$488

$225

$325