My Kindom For A Parking Space

Seems that the parking problem here in town has come to a bit of a head. The Dance Motion Studio on Main Street has been sharing its leased lot from the Town with Rovezzi's Restaurant next door until recently. Apparently there was a monetary deal that was made between the two parties for the restaurants use of the parking lot, and since the money was slow in coming, the dance studio posted signs baring anyone other than their customers from parking in the Town owned lot.

More information is needed. A look at the agreement between the two parties would be a start, but also a close look a the lease of the building to Mass Motion. Is the parking lot included in the lease? Do they have the right to sublet it, or share it for a fee?

Parking is a problem in town, and recently it was noted at the Board of Selectman's meeting that at this time we should be "massaging" local businesses, not forcing them to close their doors.

I agree.

At the meeting the selectmen also commented on their search for space in town for more public parking. I wrote on this subject before, but for those that missed it, I will repeat myself here. Look at the lot beside the former French Bakery on Main Street. The land is for sale, and unless they are asking far too much, it would be an ideal spot. Parking could be made on the south side of Route 20 opposite the Blackington Building, and down past Church Street. It would take some leveling of the land, but sure beats what is there now.

For any municipality, parking is always an issue. If the town can think far enough into the future, it can anticipate the issue and plan for it adequately. Sometimes, things just sneak up on you, and you have to think quick, and hard, to solve the problem.

We're in the latter group.

The Town should step in to the problem issue between the two businesses. After all, they do own the lot, and the towns intention is to grow business, not hinder them. There will be times when the two businesses may conflict with their schedules, but those would be rare, and could be worked out.

In the meantime, we need more parking here in town, and we only have a limited amount of land in which to place it, or find it. Time for pussy-footin' is over, it's time do do something. Make some strong offers to landowners, sweeten the pot a bit, if you must, but "git 'er done".

Be creative.