North Adams Sees Drop in Parking Revenue

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
09:20PM / Wednesday, October 12, 2011Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday night referred the matter of parking ticket revenues back to the Finance Committee.

The possible loss of parking revenue was raised by resident Mark Trottier in August. Trottier did his own study of parking violations and claimed the city had lost more than $22,000 by failing to ticket scofflaws.

Mayor Richard Alcombright provided the council with a comparison of parking revenues from the past six years that showed a significant dip in fiscal 2010.

The revenue comes from parking meters, parking permits, parking tickets and penalties, such as late fees.

"As you can see they have drifted downwards over the last three fiscal years," said Alcombright. "There are certain things that are indicators if you look at first three years as opposed to the second three years; parking meters are up on average, parking permits are up on average ... you would instinctively think that tickets would be down."

The six years show a high of $110,916 in revenue in fiscal 2008 and a low of $64,815 in fiscal 2010. Overall, parking penalties and tickets are down while parking permits are up. Meter revenue is about the same, with a slight spike in 2009.

The main culprit in 2010 appears to be a drop in both tickets ($11,000 compared to $34,000 in 2008) and penalties ($3,300 compared to $16,000 in 2008).

Alcombright said the "biggest issue in my mind right now are the parking tickets and the sharp decline." He had spoken to the parking officer and the city auditor to determine why the large drop. The parking officer will attend the Finance Committee as would a representative from public safety, he said.

Trottier objected that the mayor had missed the point of his complaint. The parking meters are operated 54 hours a week and the parking officer works 34 to 36 hours a week.

"I did this study to show you her lack of being able to do her job on top of the other things she does," he said. He asked the mayor what he and the officer had discussed.

The mayor said the issue was administrative and he was dealing with it.

Council President Ronald Boucher cut off discussion by saying the parking officer would be at the Finance Committee meeting. "I believe there'll be a chance to address that during that meeting."

Parking Revenue	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Parking Meters	12,108	13,644	13,140	16,484	12,620	12,978
Parking Permits	39,855	49,267	47,039	53,585	37,935	52,294
Parking Tickets	32,060	29,157	34,397	12,781	10,924	15,095
Parking Penalties (late fees)	18,447	17,381	16,339	5,841	3,336	8,280

Total	102,470	109,479	110,916	88,691	64,815	88,647

Tags: parking,

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Fines for customers shopping is idiotic. Fine those parking on sidewalks, on streets in winter, speeding, etc. Don't fine shoppers for being a late on a 10 cent meter.
from: freeparking	on: 10-12-2011 10:30PM I Agree (46) - I Disagree (5)

I don't really have a strong opinion one way or another about wether or not to push fines downtown, my question is about the way this "problem" is being addressed. Concerned citizen, Trottier, goes through a month of work to answer a question in his mind about lost revenue. Then, instead of bringing up his concerns to the Mayor (who he helped support in the last election) to get some answers, he chastises him at a City Council meeting for not doing anything about it and being part of the problem. How about giving him a chance to do something about it first? Now, as the Mayor is updating the Council on the progress of this issue, he blasts him again. Trottier has been an outspoken supporter of the Boucher campaign and it seems to me like this whole thing is more about politics than just a good deed by someone looking to help the City.
from: From Here	on: 10-13-2011 08:04AM I Agree (33) - I Disagree (17)

Tells me that cops arent doing job. To lazy to get out of their crusers.For example, go up Houghton street and see all the cars parked on the sidewalks.Cars park all winter on the sidewalk.People have to go out in road to get around cars. Lost revenue in fines
from: More Fines	on: 10-13-2011 08:35AM I Agree (23) - I Disagree (8)

It seems as though N.Adams is "out to get" people. Revenues from parking violations shouldn't be slated as cornerstones in the budget. If anything, it should be an extra fund of some sort for non budgeted things. It's upsetting that they view this as a "problem" they need to "fix". It continues to solidify my feelings that parking enforcement is just a money maker and has nothing to do with the a better experience for citizens and guests in any town or city...
from: concerned	on: 10-13-2011 09:09AM I Agree (21) - I Disagree (2)

FromHere (an ardent supporter of the mayor) needs to stop attacking citizens who speak their mind and speak the truth. The question is why isnt the meter maid doing her job? What else is she doing? I believe Mr. Trottier tried to contact the mayor but was rebuffed. Apparently the mayor has a "dont dare criticize me" policy
from: Parking	on: 10-13-2011 09:17AM I Agree (15) - I Disagree (29)

This is just another examaple of the mayor not knowing of careing about what is going on under his nose. He is over his head and can not handle the job of mayor. Just look at all the Mistakes that have happened on his watch. The city is laughed at all the way to Boston. I am sure he means well but that does not make him a leader. VOTE RON
from: RealWayne	on: 10-13-2011 09:32AM I Agree (15) - I Disagree (24)

Thanks Mark for forceing the mayor to do his job . Also thanks to Bob C. for bringing out the alleged missing money at the skating rink. So much for transparency.
from: RealWayne	on: 10-13-2011 10:15AM I Agree (13) - I Disagree (21)

Perhaps it isn't a question of who is or isn't doing their job. Maybe it's more a question of the priorities assigned to each task of one's job description. If the "meter maid" was pulled off ticket writing for some other task, then one would have to compare which task was of more value to the city. In the era of tight budgets that we now live in, determining what is appropriate resource allocation is what it's all about.
from: Huh	on: 10-13-2011 11:11AM I Agree (27) - I Disagree (1)

No wonder parking meter income has decreased, there is no reason to park on Main Street anymore. If there were more retailers and restaurants open in town there may be more of a reason to park downtown and pay the meter.
from: What happened to downtown	on: 10-13-2011 11:52AM I Agree (23) - I Disagree (5)

Wealthy store,bar room and restaurant owners want the tax payers to supply free parking for costomers while they put profits into banks. Talk about greed. You do not have to go to New Your to find greed ,it starts right at home.
from: RealWayne	on: 10-13-2011 01:59PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (19)
Editor: Yet those "greedy" shop owners are paying double the property tax.
I Agree (17) - I Disagree (0)

*The question is, is it worth hiring a full-time parking officer and* a part-time officer (and all the benefits they accrue)? Do we want to be an Alabama speed trap?**
from: Editor	on: 10-13-2011 02:03PM I Agree (19) - I Disagree (3)

To Here: This issue has nothing to do with Who I supported before or Who I support now, :One would say I have seen the light now : Its about a concerned citizen showing that for the past 20 months or so that the job hasn't been done properly. In the words of the Mayor "Alcombright said, the biggest issue in my mind right now are the parking tickets and the sharp decline." I SAID TO THE MAYOR " YOU FAILED TO MEET THE DUTY OF CANDOR "A LEGAL TERM" THE DUTY OF CANDOR REFERS TO DUTY OF A PUBLIC AUTHORITY TO DISCLOSE MATERIAL FACTS. I also said that s a very nice little presentation of the last five years but what about looking at the present time not 5 years ago, what about the meeting in your office regarding this issue, would you like to tell the public and this city council about it, No answer, because there is no plan in place, Its all smoke and mirrors or a white wash to the public.
from: Mark	on: 10-13-2011 02:24PM I Agree (31) - I Disagree (24)

Could the drop in revenue be due to the fact that less people are visiting North Adams during the day, therefore, less people park? As far as the sidewalk parking in the winter, I understand that a lot of apartments don't have any parking, and it's a hardship, can't we be a little tolerant? Would empty apartments be better?
from: wondering	on: 10-21-2011 03:02PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: There's actually quite a bit of activity on Main Street, although parking is usually available.
I Agree (1) - I Disagree (1)

Wow, Mark -- get a hobby. Is this subject worth that much energy, really? Do you want the City of North Adams to really be known for its vigilance in parking tickets; now that's attractive.
from: Wondering	on: 10-21-2011 03:27PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

New North Adams Restaurant Approved for Liquor License

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
03:08PM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A new restaurant on Main Street, a provisions shop and a convenience store all got the nod from the License Commission on Tuesday.

Siblings Colleen and Sean Taylor are expanding their cuisine empire yet again with the establishment of Main & Mill in the old TD Bank. They were before the commission to apply for an all-alcohol license.

The building is owned by Ginko on Main Street LLC, which has granted 20 years exclusive possession of the property to Latent Builds as the developer. Jack and Suzy Wadsworth, behind Ginko, are development partners with Salvatore Perry and Karla Rothstein of Latent.

The bank closed in early 2021 and purchased by Ginko late that year. Plans for the property unveiled three years ago envisioned a restaurant, retail, a park and rooftop bar.

The building's hosted some pop-up eateries and is currently under construction for the new restaurant.

Colleen Taylor said the restaurant will be open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner, and be open early for coffee.

"It's not going to be a very big restaurant. It's about the same size as Trail House, except for Trail House has a bigger patio, so about the same seating," she said.

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