Should Newton's Winter Parking Ban Change?

NEWTON, MA — Does Newton start its winter parking ban too early? The City Council is set to vote on that Monday.

The night parking ban begins each year Nov. 15 and ends on April. 15 as it has for some three decades. Any car or truck parked for more than 1 hour between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., can expect a ticket with a $25.00 fine. The fine used to be $5 but it was raised in 2014 in an effort to match fines by neighboring communities.

Part of the reason for the winter ban has to do with how the combination of narrow streets with cars and snow makes it difficult for emergency vehicles to get through, city officials have said.

Throughout the years petitioners unhappy about the ban have asked that the city change its rules to no avail.

But the Newton City Council will take up a vote Monday on a proposal to shorten the duration of
the winter parking ban to begin a month later and end some 15 days earlier on April 1.

Earlier this year there was a petition online proposing the city get rid of the ban altogether>>Opinion: It's Time To End Newton's Winter Overnight Parking Ban

The Public Safety and Transportation board also looked at a proposal to end the ban on some streets in Ward 2 and 3.

Related:

• Opinion: It's Time To End Newton's Winter Overnight Parking Ban
• Newton Winter Parking Ban 2018 Is In Effect

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff