Task Force votes to recommend $75 parking‑ticket increase to fall warrant

The Road Safety Task Force voted unanimously to recommend that the Select Board place a warrant article at the fall town meeting to raise most parking violation fines from $50 to $75.

The motion was made by the vice chair of the task force (Vice Chair, S2), who told the group: “I make a motion that we recommend to the board of selectmen to put on the warrant for the fall meeting town meeting that we increase parking violation tickets from 50 to $75.” The motion passed by voice vote, reported as 5–0 in favor.

Members said the increase is intended to discourage repeat offenders and reduce roadside parking that blocks driveways and impedes emergency access. Chris (S4), speaking from law enforcement experience, described towing repeat violators during the summer peak and said officers sometimes have to tow vehicles after tickets are ignored: “I put tickets on and they didn't move the cars, and I just towed the cars eventually.”

Task force members asked that the committee forward the motion and related materials to the town administrator for placement on the Select Board agenda and the warrant; members identified Town Administrator Elizabeth Sullivan as a recipient for the paperwork.

Next steps: the task force will forward its recommendation to the town administrator and the Select Board for consideration as a warrant article at the fall town meeting. If the Select Board approves the article for the warrant, final adoption will occur at town meeting.