Lincoln Street Businesses Cry Foul Over Parking

A pair of Lincoln Street business owners last week pleaded with the Board of Selectmen to enact a time limit on parking there, claiming vehicles allowed to park indefinitely are killing business.

Ed Doris, owner of Good Karma Cafe, said at any one time, three to four spaces in front of his restaurant are occupied by vehicles allowed to park there all day.

"We've seen cars stay there two weeks at a time," Doris told Selectmen.

He said there should be a two-hour time limit on those spaces. Currently, there's no limit.

Paul Moore, owner of the Trackside Cafe, said part of the problem is the expansion of the Downeaster. The commuter rail, which has a station in Exeter, recently added two stations in Maine. Moore said commuters who can't find a space in the train lot park on Lincoln Street instead.

"After 10 o'clock in the morning there are no parking spaces," Moore said.

Moore collected about 300 signatures from other Lincoln Street business owners and their customers asking for a two-hour limit.

Selectmen agreed to have town staff review the plan.