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| Village Upgrades Parking Meter System |
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New parking meter consoles became operational in the downtown
business district this spring, promising to make paying for parking
easier. “We have done this for the convenience of our residents and visitors,” Mayor Fran Murray said in inaugurating the new system. The new consoles eliminate the previous color-zone system where drivers had to make sure that the color on their spot corresponded to the correct console; drivers can now use any console in the lot. The new consoles also accept not only coins, but also dollar bills and credit cards. The consoles are also programmed to allow a seven-minute grace period before a space becomes liable for a ticket. “We’re not lurking around waiting for violations,” said Bob Nugent, the supervisor of the police aides who write the parking tickets. The Village has installed 14 of the new consoles: seven in parking field #1 (from Morris to Park Avenue between Sunrise and Merrick); three in parking field #7 (on the North side of Merrick Road, opposite the post office); and four in parking field #8 (south of Merrick Road, east of Park Avenue and north of Lenox). The units not only communicate with each other, but also with a computer at the Department of Public Works which can be used to program the consoles from a central location. Parking still costs a penny a minute and is free after 6 p.m. |
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