Natick Aims To Keep Parking Rates Flat In 2022

NATICK, MA — The cost of parking permits in downtown Natick will likely remain the same in 2022.

The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday will review proposed permit costs for downtown businesses and at the MBTA Natick center lot. Town Administrator Jamie Errickson is recommending the rates stay the same as 2021 due to low demand linked to the pandemic.

In 2021, a downtown business parking pass cost $350, while the commuter lot pass cost $830 and $1,200 for non-residents.

Both parking areas costs the city tens of thousands to maintain throughout the year.

Natick leases the 94-space commuter rail lot from St. Patrick's. In a typical year, the lease costs $58,000, but the Archdiocese of Boston agreed to reduce the cost in 2021 to $24,000. It'll increase by $1,000 in 2022, according to Errickson. The town also pays $15,000 to plow the lot, and $10,000 for items like insurance and enforcement.

The town did not sell any passes for the commuter rail lot in 2021, although 15 pro-rated passes were sold late in the year, according to a memo from Errickson. With demand for the annual passes down, Errickson said the town may begin selling daily spots at the lot through Passport, the on-street parking system.

The downtown business permits allow parking along a portion of West Central Street west of Route 27, the Pond Street lot, another lot along Middlesex Avenue and behind the police and fire stations. Those parking areas cost about $39,000 to maintain, with a majority of the cost ($27,000) for snow removal.