Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Camden Select Board will review final recommendations of the town's Parking Work Group concerning where to implement paid parking in the downtown. The regularly scheduled Select Board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and the agenda includes commercial fishermen applications, consideration of a possible ice rink at the Tannery park, and to decide if and when to schedule a public hearing to determine if 39 Main Street is a dangerous building.

The Select Board had voted 3 to 2 at an Oct. 15 meeting to approve a paid seasonal parking program. The decision was made following a  lengthy board discussion that included public comment.

Since then, the Parking Work Group has adjusted initial recommendations.

In an accompanying memo to the Select Board concerning the parking recommendations, Town Manager Audra Caler outlined reasons for implementing a paid parking program in Camden.

"Paid parking is the final step in a long process the Town of Camden has undergone to implement best land use practices and correct past policies that, while well intended, exacerbated many of the more complicated and intractable economic, social, environmental and financial issues experienced by most American communities," she wrote. "Through the implementation of this one policy — paid parking — Camden has a real opportunity to make some of the most substantial and meaningful progress on goals as diverse as improving our active transportation network to increasing our housing supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

The Parking Working Group comprises business owners, library staff, police officers, public works and town staff, and the Select Board Chair. They met Dec. 18 to finalize their recommendations and maps, which are in the meeting packet, and follow:

Seasonal Paid Parking
May 15 to Oct. 15.

Paid Parking Hours
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week including holidays, except Sundays when it should be noon to 5 p.m. to accommodate morning church goers.

Scaled-Back Metered Parking
The Working Group preferred a phased-in approach that would limit paid parking to the highest demand spaces in the central downtown area. This approach allows the town to collect data and statistics and study the impacts, especially on adjacent areas not, or not yet, included in the paid parking program. 

Parking Time Limits

Two hours on-street and in the small Mechanic and Washington street lots; and

Four-hour time limit on the Public Landing (same as now). The Group wants to ensure turnover of spaces on the Public Landing due to the location of the public restrooms and a strong desire to provide public access to the waterfront. 

The Group recommends keeping the upper Public Safety Building Lot open for all-day parking, at least at the outset. It may also be necessary if the Knox Mill lot does not have enough parking space for downtown business owners and employees to park in all day, as the parking program hopes to achieve as one of its goals.

Short-duration parking spaces

The Group worked with maps to reallocate and relocate some motorcycle, 15-minute and hard-to-park-in spaces to ensure there were opportunities in strategic locations for quick drop-offs and pick-ups.

This work was also done to allow visitors and locals sufficient time to run short errands in and out of adjacent businesses and government destinations. 

Metered Parking Rate

$2/hour. Kiosk and text-to-pay options will allow for credit/debit card payments but not coin/cash payments. However, the kiosks should be capable of excepting coins should there be a need to add this option quickly in the future. Text-to-pay will allow remote extension of paid parking sessions.

Employee/Business Owner Permit Fee

Not recommended at this time by the Group.

Camden Resident Parking Discounts

Camden residents should receive 2 hours of free parking per day. Resident parking will be tied to car registration, so residents registering their cars in Camden are eligible for 2 hours of free parking.

Expired Meter/OT Parking Citation Fine

The Group felt that the current fine amounts were adequate, but that the time allowed to pay fines before incurring additional fees needed to be extended to 14 days.

Fine current structure
First Overtime Offense, $20
Second Overtime Offense, $40
If not paid within 48 hours the fine amount doubles ($20 would then be $40) (PROPOSED TO BE 14 DAYS)

Public Landing
Unpaid or Expired meter, $30

The Jan. 7 meeting agenda includes: 

1. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

2. Approval of Select Board Minutes – December 17, 2024 

3. Consent Agenda

4. Public Hearings Liquor Licenses (establishments under 5 years)
a) Albatross at 115 Elm Street for a renewal Class I Restaurant Liquor License
b) Café Louis at 50 Elm Street for a renewal Class I Restaurant Liquor License
c) First Fig at 31 Elm Street for a renewal Class III Beer & Wine Liquor License

5. Select Board Reports

6. Town Manager’s Report

7. Action Items:
a) Approval of Commercial Fisherman Applications
b) Request for a temporary ice rink on the Tannery
c) Scheduling a public hearing to determine if 39 Main Street is a dangerous building

8. Discussion Items:
a) Draft Paid Parking Program Parameters
b) Implementation of Pesticide Notification Code Amendment

9. Adjournment