Letter to the Editor: Why a Fee For Winter On-Street Parking?

Letter to the Editor:

I am wondering if there is a town official willing to provide a reasonable explanation as to why the Town of Swampscott requires residents with limited parking on their property to pay a fee for on-street parking during the winter months.

I understand why there is a winter parking ban in effect for the entire town for days when there is a prediction of snow and/or it is snowing, but what is the purpose of the ban on non-snow days?

Once the snow ban is lifted all the cars with stickers are back on the street so it isn’t for clean-up. It’s not even for the day time hours, so what is the benefit to the town?

If the only purpose is to raise revenue, which I believe it must be, I think it is discriminatory to only charge residents with limited parking space on their property.

It would be interesting to know how many $30 permits are issued each year and how many of those are issued in each of the six precincts in town.

Kevin Donaher 
Burpee Road