AMHERST — A pilot program aimed at providing more places for downtown residents to park their vehicles overnight during the winter months is creating confusion for parishioners at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church.
With signs posted in the town’s portion of the CVS Pharmacy lot informing the public that the spaces can’t be used between 7 and 9 a.m. during the winter parking ban, which extends until April 1, those attending mass have been searching for other places to park near the 122 North Pleasant St. church.
But some chose to use the post office lot at 141 North Pleasant St., and returned from mass to find their vehicles removed.
The Rev. John Smegal, pastor at the church, recently sent a letter to parishioners asking that they get in touch with the Select Board and other Amherst officials about the pilot program, which began Feb. 1.
“Our parishioners, especially the elderly and infirm, did not have enough parking available even before these restrictions,” Smegal wrote. “Our problem is compounded by cars being towed from the post office parking lot across North Pleasant Street.”
Town officials have heard the pleas and in the weeks before the overnight winter parking ban ends April 1 are ensuring people will be able to attend mass and use the lot between North Pleasant and North Prospect streets between 7 and 9 a.m.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the concerns expressed by Smegal are a legitimate issue, as town officials don’t want to inhibit people’s ability to attend church services.
“It’s a good lesson learned for our pilot program,” said Bockelman, who met with Smegal Thursday.
The Select Board Dec. 12 approved a recommendation from the Downtown Parking Group to open up for overnight parking the town-owned portion of the CVS Pharmacy parking lot, and on-street spaces on Amity Street between North Pleasant Street and Lincoln Avenue. All vehicles are prohibited from being parked on Amherst streets from 2 to 6 a.m. from Dec. 1 to April 1.
The proposal came after extensive discussion at meetings to ensure there would be sufficient parking for those affected by the winter parking ban. Previously only the lower level of the Boltwood parking garage, or the metered spaces on Pray Street were available to park overnight. The additional parking spots provide 125 new spaces for downtown residents.
Even though cars in the allowed overnight spaces are mandated to be moved by 7 a.m. for possible snow removal, no enforcement actions were taken.
“There have been no tickets or tow orders by the town for the CVS lot since 2/1/17, the beginning of the pilot,” Acting Co-Finance Director Claire McGinnis said in an email.
McGinnis said that parking permit-holders and others were asked to provide feedback, with the most vocal complaints coming from St. Brigid’s parishioners.
“There have been concerns resulting from the expansion of overnight winter parking pilot, all related to the resulting need to close the same parking space for snow removal in the event of storms,” McGinnis said.
Select Board member Constance Kruger, who serves on the Downtown Parking Working Group, said the matter has been addressed by its members. Kruger added it’s not yet known whether the pilot program will remain in effect next year, with some consideration being given to adopting similar rules to Northampton. There, overnight parking is allowed on streets except during a snow emergency. which are announced through social media, television, blue lights that flash on streets and other means.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
