Port Jefferson trustees table proposal to make $1.50 metered parking year‑round after extended debate

Mayor Shepro called the Village of Port Jefferson work session to order July 8 and the board spent the bulk of the meeting debating a proposed resolution to set metered parking at $1.50 per hour year‑round.

Clerk Perlow introduced Resolution 77826, which would establish a $1.50 per‑hour rate in metered village lots from noon to midnight. Trustees, business‑district representatives and Treasurer Steven Gafka exchanged competing assessments of how much revenue different pricing models would generate and how the change would affect next year’s budget.

Treasurer Steven Gafka provided range estimates for a year‑round tiered pricing plan, saying the revenue would likely fall “between 757,000 and 1,100,000.” Business‑district representatives argued a tiered system (for example, $1 for the first hour, a $5 three‑hour option and a $10 all‑day rate) could raise more money than a flat $1.50, while some trustees said the $1.50 compromise the business community had agreed to should be implemented now.

Trustees pressed on practical concerns and timing. One trustee said the committee’s recommendation relies on one‑time measures and cautioned that adopting a lower recurring rate could create a roughly $300,000 budget shortfall next fiscal year. Business representatives asked for an opportunity to present their plan at a work session; one said, “I just wanna make sure that we're all on the same page here that…we're not gonna get to that 1,400,000.”

After extended discussion about scenarios and timing — including whether to roll changes out in June 2027 to allow communication with merchants — Mayor Shepro moved to table the resolution. Trustees voted in favor of tabling the item by voice vote.

The trustees asked the Budget & Finance Committee and treasurer’s office to produce clearer recurring‑revenue projections and invited business owners to present a detailed plan at a future work session before the board takes final action.