Board backs modest commuter-permit fee increase to fund major parking repairs

The Selectmen voted Aug. 27 to increase certain commuter permit fees by about 10% spread across five years (roughly 2% per year), a move parking officials said is necessary to fund large capital repairs to the towns aging parking assets.

Police Chief Jim Bonnie, who oversees parking services, told the board the parking fund supports major projects such as a near-term reconstruction of the plaza lot, which cannot accept large equipment without manual labor and is estimated to cost about $1,000,000, and long‑deferred repairs to the town-hall parking structure. Bonnie said the fund is not discretionary: it is dedicated to parking maintenance and improvements.

Resident commenter Peter Berg urged the board to consider issuing more permits in underused lots (he said Island Beach permit spaces are often underused) rather than raise fees; he estimated that issuing 17 additional permits would raise about $7,800, roughly equal to the proposed 10% increase. Parking staff responded that permit usage is seasonal and variable, that some lots are routinely overbooked, and the department limits over‑issuance to avoid creating daily shortages. After discussion the board moved and approved the permit-parking amendment (PSP-2026-002) by unanimous vote.

Officials said the fees will be used to keep parking infrastructure safe and operable and that the department will continue to monitor utilization and consider permit management strategies.