New Castle Mulls Train Station Parking Permit Fee Increases
The New Castle Town Board is considering hiking parking permit fees for 2016-17 for its municipal lots at the Chappaqua train station to raise money to repave and restripe the area.
Town officials are contemplating an increase for the resident’s permit from $450 to $500 a year while making a more significant jump for the non-resident’s pass, from $900 to $1,300 annually.
“We’re considering it not for the sake of raising it,” said Town Administrator Jill Shapiro. “We’re seeking to raise a certain amount of money for a specific purpose.”
The town plans to repave and restripe the parking lot as well as improve the sidewalks in and around the lot this summer, Shapiro said. The projected cost for the work is about $600,000, she said.
Officials have calculated that by issuing 1,529 residents’ permits, an additional $76,450 could be raised each year from the $50 increase.
Originally, the town proposed an increase to $1,500 for the non-resident permits while cutting back the number of those permits to 50 from the current town cap of 70. That would raise an additional $30,000 toward the parking lot work.
There is currently a waiting list of five names for the non-resident permits, said Town Clerk Mary Deems.
However, last week the majority of the board concluded that the hike for the non-resident’s permit might be too steep, even if it would be considered a luxury for a limited number of permit holders. Councilman Jeremy Saland said he would oppose such a hefty increase because most of the non-residents are likely from neighboring communities.
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” he said.
The town also plans on doubling the price of the meter permit from $20 to $40 a year, raising another $22,240 annually.
As originally estimated, the higher permit fees would result in $128,000 in additional revenue, thereby paying off the cost of the anticipated work within five years.
Shapiro said by arranging to pay for the repaving over time it would not affect the tax levy calculations and the public might be more understanding of the fee increases.
“I think it would be easier for us to sell it and it would easier for residents and commuters to accept it when they know (why it’s being done),” she said.
The town has roughly 1,300 spaces in its train station parking lots.
Board members may vote on the new rates at their next meeting on March 29.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/