Melrose Overnight Parking Ban Remains Intact

MELROSE, MA — The overnight parking ban will remain in Melrose, the Traffic Commission decided after nearly two hours of discussion from residents and city officials that pointed to larger traffic, parking and population issues but almost universally rejected the straightaway repeal of the ban.

The commission, which was at least partially "uncomfortable" it was being asked to make a decision with such broad impact, heard from a number of residents — most of whom were in favor of keeping the ban and whose statements were punctuated with loud applause.

Proponents of the ban, including Mayor Gail Infurna, Fire Chief Ed Colina and Police Chief Mike Lyle, cited public safety as a major sticking point. Melrose's narrow streets aren't conducive to emergency vehicles quickly navigating the city's neighborhoods, they said.

"This proposal ... is a rash attempt to change the status quo in a way that will bear unintended consequences," Ward 5 City Councilor MacMaster said.

Some of the consequences, according to those who spoke, are difficulty driving around already tight streets, an increase in the volume of traffic and the prospect of illegal apartments popping up in Melrose.

"This would be a giant step to making Melrose way more urban, and that would be a bad thing," Ward 6 City Councilor Peter Mortimer said.

Some of the other concerns boiled down to: Melrose is Melrose, and Melrose should remain Melrose. There was a stale scent of "If you don't like it, tough" among some who spoke.

The first person to speak against the ban detailed her and her husband's struggles in finding a spot for their second car. Elle Rupert said she has already had to find a new spot to live after her apartment complex only provided one spot, but even now the couple rent a privately owned spot for $125 a half-mile from their home.

Others said change happens in Melrose — whether it's Papa Gino's and Dunkin' or parking — and shouldn't be roundly rejected.

Others still tried to get creative, saying the ban shouldn't be lifted, but things aren't working the way they are.

"We need a solution," Traffic Commission member John Vetere said. "We need to come up with a more transparent and fair process to allow overnight parking, it appears that we don't have that."

Resident member Dan Krechmer thought things needed to be examined: "I think the overnight parking system is not great."

Mayoral candidate Monica Medeiros spoke in favor of the ban, and was "glad we are having this conversation."

Ryan Bagwell, who prompted the discussion with a request that culminated in a settlement agreement in the Massachusetts Superior Court, did not speak at the meeting except to acknowledge he made the request largely to slow traffic.

The 5:30 p.m. special meeting start didn't keep people from attending. Dozens overflowed the City Council Chambers, forcing a row of seating along the wall and several people spilled into the lobby.

Some officials and residents have expressed disappointment at the short notice the public received. Patch's story on Friday was for many the first time residents became aware it was on the docket.

The Traffic Commission was forced to hold the meeting in October, per a settlement agreement that was the resolution of a legal challenge by Bagwell.

Bagwell requested more than a year ago that the parking ban be lifted for vehicles registered to Melrose residents only. He told Patch the commission was set to hold a meeting in the fall of 2018, but the commission said it didn't have the authority to amend or repeal the rule. His brought the case to the Massachusetts Superior Court.

City Solicitor Robert Van Campen decided in the aftermath that legally the Traffic Commission has exclusive authority to amend or repeal the parking ban, something that made at least one member of the commission "uncomfortable."

"This is a measure that affects many if not most of the residents in Melrose," Traffic Commission member Jeff Parenti said.

The ban restricts street parking from 2-6 a.m. It's been in effect since at least 1932, city officials told Patch after digging deep into the history books.