Written by Last night, the Board of Selectmen approved the first phase of a Downtown Parking Management Plan that I think will make High Street and the surrounding downtown district better for local businesses, residents, and visitors from out of town.
What I like best about the plan is its flexibility and simplicity. We’re making incremental changes that can shift depending on the results we see and the input we get from the public. If it works, we’ll continue on that path. If it doesn’t, we can go another way. It’s a low-cost, low-risk way to improve the downtown parking situation for everyone.
Phase 1 of the plan is scheduled to begin August 15, and introduces three straightforward tactics:
- Conspicuous Signage: New parking and wayfinding signage will be installed to help people find parking options that are less than obvious and to inform them of any parking limits.
- Consistent Enforcement: Clinton Police will monitor downtown and ticket anyone who violates the new parking limits.
- Clear communication and dialog with stakeholders: In the next few weeks, business and property owners will be contacted about the plan and asked for their input. In addition, we’ll be holding a public information session in July to hear what others have to say. Bottom line is we want to make sure everyone knows what’s expected, to see how it’s working, and to make whatever changes are necessary to address any reasonable concerns.
The proposed parking zones address both high-turnover areas near retail and dining establishments and the long-term needs of downtown residents and employees. A full list of the zones and proposed time limits is available in the Phase 1 plan linked below.
I encourage everyone to take a look and to let us know what you think. A successful downtown benefits everyone in Clinton, and making parking work will go a long way toward a High Street that serves us all better.
DOWNLOAD THE DOWNTOWN PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN PHASE 1 HERE: Downtown Parking Management Plan Phase 1 6-20-18
(PLEASE NOTE that the date for the public information session listed in this document, July 15, is incorrect. The correct date Tuesday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.)
Sean Kerrigan, Clinton Select Board 
The 2 hour parking ban is not realistic for people who want to go to the Strand, get there by 6:30 to get food and watch a 2 hour movie. Will this ban be at night?
Also what about people who go the Icon Museum and then have lunch in town? Not enough time allotted!
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As the plan says, the two-hour limit is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., so getting dinner and/or a movie won’t be a problem. There’s also plenty of 12-hour parking near the park and museum, so lunch and a visit there should be fine, too. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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