Single-Space Meters Retuning to (Parts of) Brookline

Many of the multi-space meters installed last year are on their way out, provided the new budget is passed at this year's Town Meetings. 

During a , Town Administrator Mel Kleckner explained that the budget sets aside $100,000 for these improvements, as well as investing in parking enforcement technology. 

Officials are exploring "smart" meters, to replace some of the unpopluar multi-space meters, which will accept paper bills, coins, credit cards--and could be upgraded to take payments from cell phones. He noted that one vendor offered the town a free trial period to test these new meters. 

Last year, hundreds of single-space parking meters were taken out and replaced with multi-space machines around Brookline. The move was unpopular enough to warrant a  (which ), and .

At the Feb. meeting, Kleckner explained that multi-space meters would remain in the parking lots where they are currently installed, although they may switch to a pay-by-space system. Spaces would be numbered, and that users will not have to return to their car after paying for a space.

Kleckner recently told the Globe that the multi-space meters have caused an increase in overnight parking revenues, because overnight passes are easier to get. Previously, visitors hoping to park overnight would have to purchase a pass from the regardless of where they were parking.

Selectman Richard Benka noted that this system also makes printing receipts optional. 

The town's fiscal 2013 financial plan estimates $3.95 million to come from parking meters in the coming year. Deputy Town Administrator Sean Cronin told the Boston Globe that last year, the town raised $38,000 .

For more information, see yesterday's Boston Globe piece detailing more of these changes.