Fate of Downtown Overnight Parking Could Rest on the Unknown

Mark Dziubek attended the November last week knowing it could be his last opportunity to weigh in on the downtown overnight parking situation. He never got that opportunity.

The discussion regarding overnight parking situation in the downtown area was tabled during the authorities scheduled meeting last Wednesday after the board failed to gain a quorum for their November meeting. With a delay in discussions, the fate of downtown parking remains as unknown as the man who may take Dziubek’s place on the board.

“I’d like to keep serving but I’m not sure I will get that opportunity,” said Dziubek, whose term ends this November. “I just hope when it comes to the parking situation, the right decision is made.”

The proposed program, which would have provided a select number of overnight spots in the municipal lots behind Apple Alley along Main Street and in the lot along Riccio Way, was scrapped and members of after the Board of Ethics found that a vote by member Matthew Florian violated the town’s code of ethics.

The in September that the initial 3-2 vote approving a limited amount of overnight parking for downtown property owners be rescinded and be re-discussed. The parking Authority accepted the motion and set the new discussion for Nov. 9, the day after elections, but the discussion was tabled when the board failed to reach a quorum.

Dziubek and Parking Authority Chairman John Solury Jr., who were opposed to the initial proposal, were present last week. Florian, Michael Riccio and Dee Babkirk-Rodrigues were all absent, although Florian is unable to participate in the discussions.

Without Florian’s vote, it seemed imminent that the proposal would fail entirely due to a 2-2 split vote but that could change with Dziubek out and an unknown appointee possibly joining the Parking Authority by their next meeting in December.

Town Council Chairman Edward Pocock III said late last week that with the position up, the Republican controlled council is likely to appoint someone knew to replace Dziubek, a Democrat – but it won’t simply be someone who agrees with the previous stance taken by those in favor of downtown parking.

“I’ve been public that I do think downtown overnight parking is a good idea, but we will be looking for someone who has a strong understanding of the situation and can offer a compromise to board,” Pocock said. “It’s something that needs to get done, but there’s got to be a different way to go about it.”

Pocock said to this point, the sides have been divided with “no middle ground.” He said whoever the council chooses will bring that different opinion.

Dziubek said he realizes that the overnight downtown parking will eventually pass, but hopes that when it does it will be something that benefits the town as a whole, not just the businesses and property owners in the downtown area.

“I’ve been opposed to overnight parking because there was no flexibility in it. We were giving the parking away for free,” Dziubek said. “It is an asset of the city and any city you go into, whether it’s New York City or even West Hartford, you pay for parking.  At $5 per year, we are undervaluing the spaces and giving city asset away. If going to do it, charge fair market value.”

“Any city you go to charges for these kind of spaces and we need to do the same thing,” he said.