Parking ordinance repealed

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor

AGAWAM After months of conflict the controversial temporary parking ordinance that pitted this city's big business against its smallest and legislative body against its executive has finally come to a silent end.

At last week's City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to repeal the temporary parking ordinance they enacted in June. The new legislation sponsored by councilor Robert Rossi and cosponsored by the 10 remaining councilors deleting the temporary parking ordinance states that the "new ordinance has developed deep concern that its enforcement is not in good keeping with the public and the general welfare of the community" and must therefore be repealed.

It was originally presented to the council by Mayor Richard Cohen and Six Flags officials as a large public safety concern for those parking across the street from Six Flags in temporary lots for a lower rate and walking across Main Street a state highway to the park's entrance. The ordinance since then turned into a series of incidences across the city including limited parking for Senior Center bus trips, the prohibited location of a hospital blood mobile and lost revenue cited by businesses across from Six Flags.

Last week, Cohen told Reminder Publications that he did not agree with repealing the ordinance as the legislation "is only about public safety" and not about the finances lost or gained by Six Flags or the smaller businesses parking cars across from Six Flags. Cohen continued to call for amendments to the law rather than its outright appeal.

However, those few in attendance of the City Council meeting last week were overjoyed with the council's decision.

Mayor-elect Susan Dawson, who cited one of her campaign issues as the repeal of the parking ordinance said she was "thrilled" with its repeal. She added that once in office she is committed to creating a Safety Committee to assess public safety concerns and to work with the council to correct the "real safety issues." Dawson noted that the safety issues relevant to the town are proper sidewalks, crosswalks and crossing signals.

She said that unlike Cohen she is not concerned that there is no longer a temporary parking ordinance currently in effect because "there wasn't an ordinance for 50 years."

Rossi said that those who have complaints of transient parkers have the ability to contact the proper authorities for assistance.

City Councilor Jill Simpson said her concerns remain with those parking in residential areas. Those living on Main Street and surrounding areas were plagued by loiterers who claimed their yards as dumping sites. Simpson said she would like to have legislation in place to protect those in residential areas prior to the spring and opening of Six Flags.

In a surprising turn of events Larry Litton, park president of Six Flags New England, who has been in strong support of the ordinance from the beginning, called for its repeal at the City Council meeting during Citizens Speak Time. He said the ordinance did not have the effect originally intended to protect those crossing the street to Six Flags. He added that the ordinance has "done more harm than good."

Litton said he has set up a meeting with Michael Palazzi, owner of South Agawam Storage on Main Street one of the small business owners parking cars for the reduced rate of $10 so as to try and work out a solution to the public safety concerns as the town government seems less likely to do so.

The call for sidewalks on Main Street to allow park goers safe passage along the highway has been a huge roadblock Litton and Palazzi said. Neither party said they are willing to pay for the building of the sidewalks. Litton stated that it is the responsibility of the small business owners and that Six Flags has done all they can to build a walking bridge and mile-long driveway to the parking lot as to reduce traffic congestion on Main Street.

Palazzi said as Main Street is a state highway the town or state should be liable for the financing of the sidewalks. Overall, Palazzi said he was "ecstatic" about the repealing of the ordinance so that he can get back to storing boats, cars and RVs at his business. He said he was additionally inconvenienced when he was told that he could not park cars for less than 15 hours because of the ordinance.

Palazzi added that the past several months have been a large strain on his business financially as the over 30 spots used for Six Flags parking put a dent in his revenue. He said if the ordinance had not been repealed he would have sold his business. Palazzi asked what he has been getting from the town for his $30,000 tax payments other than "aggravation?"