ROCKPORT — For the past several weeks, motorists circling downtown Rockport in search of that elusive parking spot have grown increasingly angered with each completed lap by the sight of a roped-off lot boasting more than a dozen empty, and unmetered, spaces.
Several frustrated drivers eager to learn why the spaces — acquired by the town when it purchased the former Granite Savings Bank building earlier this summer and located in the heart of Rockport adjacent to Town Hall — were not being utilized looked to selectmen for an explanation.
Now, in an effort to appease those callers, the selectmen have opted to follow the Traffic Committee's recommendation to open the parking lot for use by the general public until the town determines how the building will be used.
The 14 spaces in front of the bank building were formerly roped off except for Sunday use by parishioners of St. Mary's Church. The church will continue to have exclusive use of the lot on Sunday mornings and during weddings and funerals, selectmen said, adding that overnight parking is prohibited.
The Traffic Committee, comprised of Town Administrator Linda Sanders, Police Chief Tom McCarthy and Public Works Director Joe Parisi, determined the recommendation at its Aug. 16 meeting.
While selectmen were always in agreement that overnight parking should be prohibited, the decision on whether the lot should be opened for exclusive use by residents divided the five-member board, triggering a need for three votes on the matter.
Selectmen's Chairman Andrew Heinze and Selectman Sandy Jacques favored limiting use of the parking lot to resident sticker holders while Selectwomen Sarah Wilkinson and Ellen Canavan supported opening the lot for use by visitors as well.
"I like the Traffic Committee's recommendation to leave (the lot) open to the general public," Wilkinson said. "I think it's a nice gesture; we're lacking nonresident parking and have resident-only parking right next door."
Heinze, who reiterated the decision would only stand until the town determines how it will utilize the building — which has tentatively been pegged as additional space for Town Hall offices — said residents were in need of additional parking spaces, too.
"I'm a resident, have to pay $15 and many times when I come down here all that's left is metered resident spots," he said. "I end up paying even more to park."
Canavan expressed a different view, saying "it would be good to get all those cars circling around, which is typically visitors, off the street."
Jacques proposed amending an initial motion to open the lot for use by the general public, urging that it read that the lot would be open exclusively for residents. The amendment, however, failed to pass on a 2-2 vote with Canavan and Wilkinson voting it down.
A second vote, taken on the initial motion to open the lot for use by the general public, also failed following another 2-2 vote with Jacques and Heinze voting in opposition.
The board then enacted the rule of necessity to bring Selectwoman Frances Fleming back into the room to vote on the matter. Fleming had recused herself from the discussion because she is a member of St. Mary's Church. However, selectmen agreed the vote at hand did not present a conflict of interest.
In what would be the final vote, the decision was made, 3-2, to open the lot to the general public.
Wilkinson noted the vote was an historic one for the Board of Selectmen as it marked the first all-women majority vote.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
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