28-05-2025
Westfield commission votes to increase parking permit fee
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Off-Street Parking Commission in Westfield voted at its monthly meeting to increase the parking permit fee from $10 per month to $20 per month.
Prior to this decision, the fee had been set at $10 monthly, or $100 annually, since 2009. Significant increases in maintenance costs in Westfield had pushed the commission to make the vote, comparing its fees to similar communities in the state, such as Pittsfield, Greenfield, and Northampton. These communities were found to have municipal parking permits ranging from $30 to $70 monthly.
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'It has become increasingly expensive to maintain our nine municipal parking lots,' City Parking Clerk Peter Miller said. 'Certainly, we understand that there is never a good time to increase fees.'
Under the current fee structure, the Off-Street Parking Department collects about $26,000 annually. The commission stated that maintaining municipal lots is slated to cost $50,000 in Fiscal Year 2026, and emptying trash bins costs $5,200 per year. This increase is projected by the department to bring in a total of $48,000 annually, with fees from food truck operations bringing in $6,000 extra to balance the budget.
Central Street
Depot Square
Franklin Street
Gravel Lot
Railroad Avenue
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Riverwalk
Thomas Street
'While the city subsidizes staff, snowplowing, and certain capital costs, maintenance of parking lots is solely funded by parking permit fees,' Miller said.
The parking permit fee increase will go into effect in Westfield on July 1. Permits purchased on or before June 30 will be honored by the city through their expiration.
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