A Non-Moving Violation

by Glenn C. Koenig, webmaster at Town Wide Mall

Maynard, MA - A moving violation in a motor vehicle can get you a fine and perhaps an increase in you car insurance.  A "non-moving" violation is more commonly known as, ... a parking violation.  With the warm, rainy weather we've been having recently, it's easy to forget that it's already winter (well, meteorological winter, actually, which starts on December 1st, not on the equinox, Dec 21st).
Today's story is actually two stories in one:  Parking Meters and the Winter Overnight Parking Ban.

Parking Meters

Anyone parking a car in downtown Maynard has likely noticed the hoods that have been placed on parking meters in the area.  When I visited town hall to inquire, Greg Wilson, Executive Assistant to the Select Board, explained that every year, parking is free for 2 hours during the holidays.  This ends on December 31st, when things return to normal.
Comment:  As the use of parking meters has not been enforced for some time by now, there will be more to this story in the future.  For some history, please see my previous story "Money for the Meter?" related to parking meters that I published back on July 7th.

Overnight Winter Parking Ban

Here in Maynard, the annual overnight parking ban begins on December 1st.  That means that no vehicle is permitted to be left on the streets between 2 AM and 6 AM.  The ban lasts until March 15th, 2024.  Of course, there may be additional parking restrictions on streets during other hours, depending on the weather forecast.
There are some exceptions allowed, as explained on the town's web page for Winter Parking, here:
https://www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/184/Winter-Municipal-Parking-Program
(Note:  This page was posted before the Florida Road bridge was completed.  Contact the town for the most up-to-date information on designated parking areas.)

Recently, we accidentally tested the enforcement of this ban when we left two vehicles out on the street overnight.  We wanted to leave room for a contractor to park his truck in our driveway for a minor porch renovation job and we didn't want to get up  early enough the next day to move them.

The next morning we found a yellow warning tag on each one, under the windshield wiper.  Having been so warned, we are now careful to make sure we put our vehicles away before retiring for the night, then put them back on the street (if needed) the next morning.

Although this is not a major news story, I'm publishing it to serve as a reminder for others who may make a similar error.

Comment

To some people, this may seem like just another bothersome government regulation.  But I take a slightly different view.
After getting this warning, I stopped to imagine the job of a truck driver, responsible for plowing or salting the streets in winter weather.  I imagined being in the driver's seat, having to work long hours in the dark, in challenging weather conditions (snow, sleet, high winds, and bitter cold).  True, as a driver, I'm getting paid for my work, but encountering a car blocking the street makes my job that much more difficult.  I have to leave a wide berth to prevent damaging the parked vehicle.
In addition, as such a driver, it's hard for me to plan my other activities because weather in New England can change unexpectedly. Despite the best forecasts, and I could be called to go out to work on very short notice.
Then I imagined that I'm a member of the police force, responsible for keeping the streets clear of vehicles in such weather.  I have to drive up and down many miles of streets to check for cars blocking the way.  Then I have to arrange to have those vehicles towed, if necessary, all during similar difficult weather conditions.
Then I thought of those driving emergency vehicles, such as ambulances or fire trucks.  Anyway, by now you probably get the idea.   This kind of regulation can help the town operate efficiently and safely with just little effort on our part.  My thanks go out to all those who do this work.

One last thing:  I want to thank the folks who work in the police department for issuing a warning, instead of a fine, for the first time a vehicle is left out.  I am in favor of providing an allowance for what is typically a simple oversight, rather than an outright flauting of the law.  After all, it just doesn't seem like winter just yet, these days, so it's easy to make a mistake.

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