Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BROOKLINE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — On Tuesday, the Brookline Select Board unanimously voted to adopt a town-wide increase in parking meter prices, which will make all parking meter rates $2.
The increase was requested by Brookline's Transportation Board and Department of Public Works.
In their proposal, they cited multiple reasons for the increase, including the fact that Brookline’s parking rates were last increased in 2016 and that the current prices are lower than surrounding areas. The current rates range from $0.75 and $1.25 to $2.
The new $2 rate will make Brookline “on par” with surrounding neighborhoods like the Cleveland Circle area, Commonwealth Avenue, Allston and Longwood Medical parts of Boston, the proposal said.
Brookline residents had mixed reactions to the parking meter price increase, and some expressed that they were not overly concerned about the new rate.
“I live in Brookline. It’s a very small difference. It doesn’t bother me,” one resident told WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas.
Another person said that the increase makes sense compared to parking rates in nearby communities. “I mean, it’s that way everywhere pretty much. I’m surprised they haven’t raised it before.”
But others had different opinions on the new increase. “$2? That’s ridiculous, especially when you’re parking on the street and people [are] sideswiping your mirrors. It’s just ridiculous.”
The parking rate increase is estimated to generate an additional annual revenue of $1,425,000 for the town of Brookline.
The Transportation Board and the Department of Public Works said this revenue could “help plan for the replacement of new multi-space and single-space parking meters that are reaching the end of their expected life,” and it could be a source of funding to help achieve Brookline’s sustainability goals.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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