Over the past two weeks, a citizen’s petition regarding the Camden paid parking program was initiated.  Approximately 15 Camden citizens worked together to take the pulse of their community regarding this most consequential issue for our town—paid parking and whether we want it.  I can say without hesitation, the answer to this question is a resounding “NO.”

During just a couple days of effort, 577 Camden residents enthusiastically signed and supported the petition.  This number far exceeds the 334 minimum signature requirement.  The purpose statement of the petition simply read the following:

We, the undersigned residents and registered voters of the Town of Camden, respectfully petition the Select Board to take the necessary steps to ensure that the voters of Camden shall have a say in whether there is a paid parking program in town.
We believe that the Town of Camden is best served when the voice and desire of its residents are considered when substantive changes to our town are contemplated.

To this end, we request that the Select Board place the following article before voters at the next Annual Town Meeting.
“To see if the Town will vote to direct the Select Board to eliminate the paid parking program in Camden and to remove all parking meter kiosks.”

In over 100 conversations with residents during the last two weeks, there was almost universal disapproval for the concept of paid parking in Camden.  Even a couple residents who were self-proclaimed paid parking proponents gladly signed the petition because they believe that voters should have decided whether this program was implemented or not. 

And in speaking to many of our non-resident neighbors on the streets of Camden who shop, do errands, meet friends, stop for a cup of coffee, or visit the post office, the message was the same—paid parking is loathed.  If I had had a petition for non-Camden residents, I would have filled many more petition pages!

There are a whole host of reasons why paid parking is wrong for Camden.  I encourage our elected officials to solicit their resident constituents, like those who were involved in the paid parking petition effort, and those 577 residents who enthusiastically signed, and they will likely hear the same feedback and commentary.  To put it bluntly, paid parking in Camden is second only to a root canal or kidney stones in popularity!

In a time when the Select Board and Town Manager desperately need a win, I sincerely hope that they will simply do what they should have done to start with and that is to just ask its residents if they want paid parking or not.  It’s really that simple.

We shouldn’t need a citizen’s petition with almost twice the necessary number of signatures to force our town government to do the right thing.  To the Select Board and Town Manager, since you unilaterally decided to implement a paid parking program, you most certainly can now decide to remove it.  And you certainly don’t need to discredit a valid petition effort to allow Camden voters an opportunity to decide what type of town they live in. 

I urge you to take the win and move this ballot article forward without delay for a June vote.

Alex Cohen lives in Camden