Trustees table vote on $1.50 hourly parking rate after lengthy public outcry

The Port Jefferson Village Board on June 24 tabled a resolution that would have set metered parking at $1.50 per hour year‑round, after extended public testimony from downtown business owners and hours of trustee discussion about budget tradeoffs and process.

The proposed resolution (No. 66‑62426) would have set meter rates at $1.50 per hour from noon to midnight beginning July 1, 2026. Mayor Shepro and Treasurer Stephen Gaffka said the change was intended as a compromise to close a roughly $32,500 shortfall in the current fiscal year by combining expense reductions and modest revenue adjustments. “We found $52,750 of expense decreases and projected additional parking fines and permit revenues to plug this gap,” Treasurer Gaffka said, explaining the arithmetic behind the amendment.

Business owners and residents urged trustees to reconsider. “This was your typical smoke and mirrors tactic,” said James Luciano, a downtown business owner, who told the board the business district had already lost customers and that a petition of more than 1,000 signatures urged $1/hour year‑round. “Parking rate adjustments will not show the damage until a year down the road,” he said. Ava Rosea, who identified herself as the creator of an online and in‑person petition with more than 1,100 signatures, said higher rates were already driving customers away during the summer season: “By raising the parking to what you have, you are affecting not just me, but our fellow business owners and their families.” Robert Ladig of Roots Cow Bar cited studies and examples he said show modest parking fees cut customer traffic and urged differential pricing that protects regular local customers.

Trustees split on the merits and the process. Mayor Shepro defended the $1.50 compromise as necessary to produce a balanced, “tick‑and‑tie” budget and said the village intends to invest parking revenue in deferred maintenance and parking facilities. Several trustees — including Trustee Giuliano and Trustee Hill — said they were sympathetic to the businesses but raised procedural objections, arguing the item should go to a work session or budget and finance committee before a final vote. “This is out of process,” Trustee Giuliano said, urging the board to let budget and finance review the proposed changes. Trustee Ugrinsky and others pressed for immediate action to provide relief to merchants.

After discussion, a motion to table the resolution carried. Trustee Giuliano made the motion to table and it was seconded; the presiding officer called the vote and the motion carried, postponing a final decision until further review at an upcoming work session.

What happens next: Trustees said they will return to the issue at a July 8 work session and suggested reactivating the parking committee to recommend a longer‑term parking strategy and capital plan. The board did not adopt the $1.50 rate at the meeting and made no immediate changes to enforcement or current rates.

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Votes and procedural note: The board opened the item as Resolution 66‑62426 and after extended public comment and trustee debate moved to table the resolution; the tabling motion carried by voice vote.