Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez

PERTH AMBOY – The days of getting an hour to park for 25 cents have been changed in certain sections of town; depending on where you are, you may get only 30 to 40 minutes of parking for that amount of money.  This revenue is needed to improve the Jefferson Street Parking Deck, according to Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach.  After studying 17 to 18 other city rates of other towns, we were still lower (as far as our parking meter rates) than those other towns.

Although some of the lights have been replaced in that lot, this did not satisfy residents Ricky Aviles and Alan Silber.  Their concerns, especially with Mr. Aviles, were in regards to broken elevators and safe stairwells.

“You should improve the air before you increase the rates,”  Mr. Silber said, “The results you are seeking raising the rates may be the opposite of you want.”

Resident Gregory Pabon spoke in favor of the fee increase.  “The only way you can make improvements is to have the money come in first.  The tolls were raised on the bridges and the parkway and I have to pay them but they are needed to fix the roads.”

Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez made it a point to say, “The Jefferson Street Parking Deck had brighter lighting and at a cheaper cost to the City and it is now lit up like a Christmas Tree.”