Council, Chamber Push Parking Meter Chat

Although Village Council and the Chamber of Commerce pushed a formal discussion on parking meter rates for tonight, a council member said Tuesday the body and local chamber are working toward a resolution.

Chamber of Commerce liaison and Councilman Paul Aronsohn said council would continue a dialogue with village merchants to find the best answer for an issue that's left business owners frustrated.

"This isn't rocket science. We're working with a lot of smart people here, and we're going to find a solution," Aronsohn said, adding he didn't want to approach council until he and the chamber could offer tangible suggestions.

After council voted to raise meter rates from 25 cents to 50 cents an hour last summer, business owners have consistently requested council revisit the issue. Council said it would review its progress in six months, or last February. That discussion has been continually delayed. 

A general parking discussion—to also include a potential parking garage—was pushed from a May agenda stemming from insufficient information. Last week, Village Manager Dr. Kenneth Gabbert said the long-requested discussion would be held June 16.

Incoming chamber president Scott Lief said the group was not prepared to present Wednesday. Currently the group is forming an internal committee— headed by Thomas Hillman from Hillman Electric & Lighting—to organize its stance.

Essentially, Lief said the chamber is concerned with three parking meter-related areas: enforcement, fines and cost.

"We want to finalize our thoughts, do our homework, get together at our next chamber directors meeting and go over it in detail with Paul," Lief said.

Lief emphasized that the chamber is committed to working with council to develop a solution. He said Aronsohn's input would help the chamber work on what's best for both businesses and consumers.

Aronsohn—who voted against the measure last year—wants a compromise that is both fiscally responsible and beneficial to the community.

One potential compromise, he said, was leaving 50-cent meters on the street and reverting lot meters to 25 cents an hour. That way, it gives an incentive for employees to park away from the street and clear the way for space turnover.

"The bottom line is we'll be sitting down soon, looking at the numbers and coming up with a proposal," he said.

With Tom Riche and Bernadette Walsh scheduled to be sworn in July 1, Lief said the chamber is excited to work with council's new members. 

"Paul made it clear that the new council will take it more seriously than the current one," Lief said.

Ridgewood Guild President Tony Damiano said he was asked to offer his new civic group's perspective, but declined saying it would like to focus its "positive energy" to help down town. The recently formed collection of businesses and residents has opted against participating in political  issues.

From his own perspective, Damiano—owner of Mango Jam—originally disagreed with the increase. However, when looking at comparable towns—not Glen Rock, he said—Damiano found Ridgewood to be in line with Westfield and Englewood and cheaper than Montclair.

"The increase came at a bad time for businesses, but looking at it, and I hate to admit it, it makes sense," Damiano said.

He thought a greater concern was the two-hour limit imposed on most meters, which he would like to be increased to three.

"If someone wants to come in, grab lunch and get their nails done, two hours is not enough time," he said. "You can't get anything done in two hours."

Despite being off tonight's agenda, Aronsohn encouraged residents to participate in public comment during the meeting.