Lynn parking board decides on new approach for lots

LYNN – Only months after an automated parking kiosk was installed in the Andrew Street municipal parking lot, the Off Street Parking Commission is considering switching it out for gated parking instead.”We’re not voting to do it,” said commissioner Jane Kelly. “We’re just voting to get quotes.”The commission voted Tuesday to seek quotes to install gated parking at both Andrew Street and the Buffum Street parking lots. It also voted to move the automated kiosk from the Andrew Street lot to the Ellis Street lot if the gates are installed.Commissioner Jamie Cerulli said the decision to look at gates was the result of a study conducted on the city’s lots.”They said we made a mistake with the kiosk,” she said. “They said you should always go with gates.”Installing a kiosk means that someone must monitor the lot to make sure patrons are actually paying. Cerulli said if no one monitors the lot then patrons could get away with not paying to park.”We don’t have anyone to monitor, let alone police,” she said. “It’s risky. You might get a ticket. You might not. Gates are more efficient.”With gates, patrons must pay or the gate won’t open. Commission Chairman Taso Nikolakopoulos called gates the cheapest and most effective way to monitor a lot.The potential plan is to install two gates, one entrance and one exit, in each the Buffum Street and Andrew Street lots. Assistant Parking Director Robert Stilian warned that if patrons had to pay with a credit card or swipe a monthly pass on the way in, traffic would back up in the morning.”I like the recommendation that you get a ticket on the way in and pay on the way out,” said Nikolakopoulos. “I would support recommending two gates.”While the auditors who looked at the city’s municipal lots said the kiosks are a mistake, the commission decided it would be perfect for the Ellis Street lot. Cerulli said it is mostly employees who work for local businesses and have monthly passes who park there. The one lot attendant who did staff that booth brought in about $12 per week.”This might actually make a little money,” she said of the kiosk.In the meantime, however, until the gates are installed, Stilian warned that the Buffum Street lot is losing money because it is only staffed, at best, 15 hours per week. Stilian said two lot attendants have retired and one died, leaving only one working lot attendant.The commission voted to recommend that the Parking Department hire someone on an emergency, temporary basis to man the Buffum Street lot.”We need to get someone over there,” he said, adding that the position would surely pay for itself.The commission also voted to have the Andrew Street and Buffum Street lots resurfaced, repaired and re-lined by summer. Nikolakopoulos asked if the project was something the Department of Public Works could do, but Stilian said they would be better off getting an outside company because the DPW only does spot repairs.”Hopefully in 90 days we’ll have resurfaced and lined and have new automation in the lots,” Nikolakopoulos said. “It brings a tear to my eye.”