Parking violation revenue causing dispute in Saugus

SAUGUS – When Town Manager Andrew Bisignani hired a parking officer, he got the Patrolmen’s Union to drop a grievance by promising that all the revenue raised would go to the Police Department.The Commission on Disabilities, however, wants in on the deal.Article 32 on the special Town Meeting warrant calls for money raised through fines for handicap parking violations to go back to the Commission of Disabilities.”We’ve already agreed to handing (fines) over to the Police Department – it would violate our agreement,” Bisignani told the Finance Committee Wednesday.Town Meeting member Janet Leuci said the only problem with that argument is Town Meeting is not bound by Bisignani’s contractual obligations.Bisignani said that might very well be, but the town will be responsible should the issue go to court. He said if Town Meeting supports the article, the union in all likelihood would file a grievance.When Bisignani first gave K-9 Control Officer Harold Young a ticket book to write parking violations, the union filed a grievance. Later, Town Meeting voted to accept a statute that gives the Town Manager the right to appoint a parking officer.The union grieved the issue again, which resulted in Bisignani negotiating the deal to turn all the revenue back to the police department.Bisignani said the parking officer has netted the town $22,000 in fines during the seven weeks the program has been in effect.”The program is very successful,” he said.Bisignani said he estimates about 40 percent of the $22,000 is from fines issued for handicap parking violations.Town Meeting member Al DiNardo, who sits on the Disability Commission, said the article only seeks part of the money.”The Police Department will be getting more money than they ever did anyway,” he said. “We’re only asking for a portion – it’s a win/win for the town.”Finance Committee Vice Chairman Ken DePato suggested the group get an opinion from Town Counsel John Vasapolli on whether the article is doable and if it would supercede Bisignani’s contractual obligations.The Finance Committee will meet again on the issue and the rest of the warrant Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The special Town Meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium.