Mark S. Cookson, Alderman-at-Large

Ordinance O-11-71 Amended “Establishing downtown parking zones and amending parking meter hours, fees and penalties” was passed by the board of aldermen on June 28, 2011.  That legislation enacted broad changes in the downtown parking regulations, by establishing multiple parking zones with different meter hours, time limits and fees.  It also changed the parking violation schedule and added authorization for some new locations for parking meters.

Earlier today, Tuesday, October 25, 2011, the six Aldermen-at-Large and the Ward 4 Alderman received the following email:

It appears that the City of Nashua is in the process of installing parking meters on both sides of Temple Street, from Cottage Street to Temple Place.

Neither myself nor any of my numerous tenants have had any notification or an opportunity to discuss this change or to give our input. This is clearly and primarily a residential area. Parking is difficult at best. There is already a posted time limit on Temple Street.

These parking Meters are going to create a hardship for residents (especially during times of snow removal). They will also create a hardship for the Temple Street Market, The Collins Brothers Chowder Company and the Nashua Senior Activities Center as the residents will undoubtedly move down Temple Street past Temple Place and use the unmetered parking next to these establishments.

I urge the Alderman to delay the installation of these new parking meters until the residents have been notified of the City of Nashua’s intent to install meters in front of their homes, and  an opportunity to voice their opinion and concerns.

As a result of this constituents concern legislation was drafted and will be introduced at this evening’s Board of Aldermen meeting.  This legislation amends that authorization for some new locations for parking meters by rescinding the authority for parking meters on both sides of Temple Street between Cottage Street and Temple Place.  The legislation also halts all work related to installing meters at that location while the legislation is pending so no work is performed unnecessarily.

Ordinance 11-89

Rescinding the Authorization for Parking Meters on Temple Street between Cottage Street and Temple Place

CITY OF NASHUA

In the Year Two Thousand and Eleven
The City of Nashua ordains that Part II “General Legislation”, Chapter 320 “Vehicles and Traffic”, Article XI “Parking Meters”, Section 320-51 “Parking meter streets” of the Nashua Revised Ordinances, as amended, be hereby further amended by deleting the struck-through language and adding the new underlined language as follows:

“320-51. Parking meter streets.

The following streets are designated as parking meter streets in the listed zones, and authority is hereby granted to install and maintain parking meters on these streets in locations deemed appropriate by the Aldermanic Traffic Committee and in accordance with the tenor of this chapter:

…

C. Zone III:

Name of Street Side Location

…

Temple Street Both Between Spring Street and Temple Place Cottage
Street”

While this legislation is pending, all work related to installing meters on Temple Street between Cottage Street and Temple Place shall be halted.

This legislation shall become effective upon passage.