Scrooges On The Township Council? Holiday Shoppers May Be Asked To Pay For Parking

Last year, the Montclair Township provided free two-hour parking during the two weeks leading up to Christmas by bagging all but three-hour meters throughout Montclair.

Indeed, it's always been a simple little incentive designed to draw more consumers out to the town's shopping districts during the holidays.

But this year, in the face of a budget crisis, shoppers may be asked to pay. In a letter to the Township Council, the Montclair Parking Authority said bagging meters costs about $50,000 in lost revenue, not to mention the need to buy the bags and send people out to cover/uncover the meters.

Discussing the matter earlier this week, council members appeared to be split on the issue. Some favor the businesses, who are keen to lure more people to local stores during tough economic times. Others want to prevent any loss in revenue no matter what.

The council will draft a resolution for consideration and take a vote on the issue at a meeting on November 22, at which business owners will be encouraged to express their opinions.

"I don't believe that customers are going to stop shopping because they have to pay 50 cents or 75 cents for parking," said Councilor Rich Murnick. "And we've heard from people who abuse the practice and park their cars for more than two or three hours."

Then again, he said free parking is a "great thing" for the business owners.

"Maybe we can work out something so that people could get their parking validated if they shop in a certain store," he said.

Nearby towns, such as Bloomfield, typically bag meters during the holiday shopping season.

Mayor Jerry Fried said Thursday that a compromise may be forthcoming.

"We may decide to offer free parking for the two weeks leading up to Christmas but not to bag the meters," he said.

Ads would be placed in out-of-town newspapers, encouraging people to shop in Montclair, and to park for free. But—because meters wouldn't be bagged—many local people would likely feed the meter as always.

"There would be free parking for anyone who knew there was free parking," Fried said. "The difference is that the meters would not be bagged."