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DARIEN, Conn. Darien is taking steps to address the longstanding problem of parking at its train stations. An increase in penalties for people parking where theyre not supposed to, fines for late permit renewals and technology to make parking easier to regulate are among the options being considered.
Town Administrator Karl Kilduff presented a number of parking issues to the Board of Selectmen on Monday night. Commuters at the Noroton Heights station are parking in spots designated for Depot use only, he said. The fine is $15, but Town Counsel Wayne Fox said that could be increased to as high as $250.
Kilduff also said some people who renew their parking permits every year take several months to do so. Several selectmen suggested that penalties be enacted to make people renew their permits at the beginning of the year. Suggestions included late fees or loss of a permit if it is not renewed by a deadline.
A license plate reader would make it easier for officials to enforce parking rules, Kilduff said. The reader would quickly scan license plates in the lots and match them up to a database to ensure proper parking. The license plate reader would cost about $19,000.
Increasing the cost of daily parking at the train stations was also discussed. It currently costs $3 to park at the Darien stations, while most surrounding towns are $5. Kilduff suggested putting the price on par with other towns.
Jim Cameron, chairman of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council, told the board that although these ideas would solve some problems, there is still not enough parking in town. The town should hold discussions with the state Department of Transportation about increasing parking so commuters are not waiting years for parking permits, he said.
Before the Board of Selectmen can make any changes to the parking rules or regulations, it would first need to hold a public hearing.
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