Train Station Resident Parking Fees Going Up

MANSFIELD, MA — Resident parking fees at the Mansfield Train Station are going up.

The selectmen voted last week to increase the daily parking fee for residents from $2 to $3, effective July 1. The vote was part of a $500,000 package of fee increases which include ambulance, permits from building department, and recycling. The extra dollar for parking is expected to raise about $143,000, according to town officials.

The increase comes a few years after the fee was decreased from $4 to $2. Selectman Jess Aptowiz said they were told at the time that the lots could be maintained for $2 a space, but now the town finds itself low on funds to maintain residential lots.

"It costs $2.90 a space a day to maintain with the maintenance and fees. People don't like to make bad political votes but it's costing more than $2," Aptowitz said.

Town Manager Kevin Dumas said the extra revenue will be used for new signage, cleanup, and repair work in the Winthrop Lot. The repairs are scheduled to take place during the week of the Fourth of July.

Resident Stephanie Crowley spoke on behalf of a group of four residents who felt that Mansfield commuters are not being prioritized because there are more non-residents spaces which are closure to the station with none usually left for residents by 7:30 a.m. The non-resident spaces, however, are more expensive than the ones exclusive to residents.

Board members agreed that the issues of the train station need to be addressed, but there are few solutions at the moment.

"We've had a million discussions. The whole train is an issue. We struggle with it because it's difficult," Aptowitz said. "People come to Mansfield, they commute to Boston, they expect to get a space and not have to get there at 3 a.m. but there's only so many spaces. We agree with it but our hands are tied."

Selectman Steve Schoonveld said if the original decrease was to $3 and not $2, the town may not be dealing with the same issues they are today.

"I think we would be reinvesting that money, I think we would be acquiring property. I'm not going to cast blame but going down to $2 somewhat created the mess and chaos we're in today," Schoonveld said.

Image: File Photo