(1/10) At its Jan. 8 meeting, the Town Council approved the replacement of current downtown parking meters with new smart parking meters on Main Street. However, the Council rejected a proposal to expand the number of parking meters on West Main Street, as well as installing meters in the pool parking lot.

Civic Smart Inc. of Gaithersburg was awarded the contract to replace the existing 125 coin only parking meters with meters that will accept coin, credit card and mobile pay applications.

While approving the replacement of the old meters, the Council rejected an associated proposal to increase the parking rate from 25 cents to 50 cents an hour, the proceeds of which Mayor Davis had hoped would help offset the cost of the purchase of the meters and their yearly operating cost.

The project will cost $44,444, of which $31K will be covered by a Community Facility Grant, with the Town picking up the remaining $13K.

Currently, Emmitsburg’s parking meters bring in roughly $15K a year, according to Parking Officer Kadeem Brim, all of which goes to the Town. With the new smart meters however, the Town will have to pay a yearly meter software license fee of approximately $8,520. The Town will not have to pay a credit card processing charge fee if the Town utilizes Civic Smart’s merchant processor.

Commissioners Valerie Turnquist argued against the project, stating the Town should know which meters currently bring in the bulk of the parking money before buying new meters.

The new meters are needed, according to Town Manager Cathy Willets, because the Town's existing coin meters are over 20 years old and some no longer work properly, and parts can no longer be found to repair them.

The effort will also ‘de-clutter’ Main Street by reducing the number of meter poles from 125 to 84 due to the ability to purchase ‘double space meters’, according to Willets.

The updated meters would be a convenience to drivers caught without change, said Willets. Town staff predicted fewer parking tickets and fines as a result.

Downtown parking and its difficulties, including locations, has been an ongoing debate and discussion topic for many years in Emmitsburg.

The long-proposed project to replace the existing coin only parking meters with smart meters has been discussed and tabled multiple times by the Council, citing the need for more information.

Downtown Emmitsburg business owners are reportedly in favor of the meter replacement and the increase in parking fees if the increased revenue would be put towards purchasing a vacant lot that could be used for parking, according to Mayor Frank Davis. However, public feedback was mixed on installing meters at the pool, but was decidedly against expanding additional meters down West Main St..

While some residents wished to see the parking meters removed from Town altogether, Davis said, the general opinion was for replacing the outdated meters but not too keen on extending the meters’ locations.

Davis noted concern about the fact that only a small percentage of residents chose to voice their opinion on a matter that will affect the entire Town.

The commissioners thanked the residents who did chime in for voicing their opinions and encouraged them to continue to participate in discussion on public matters.