A lot of debate in Rockville Centre

The first week of new charges in the Front Street parking lot appeared to get off to a slow start, but reaction was swift and discussion of the lot at the Oct. 5 village board meeting grew heated at times, with angry commuters challenging the recent imposition of an extra fee.

To no one’s surprise, the metered parking system, which adds a $4 daily charge for commuters who have already paid $150 for resident parking stickers, was the focus during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting. Residents voiced their concern — and in some cases, their outrage — over the village’s renewed 10-year lease of the Front Street lot, signed earlier that day. The lot, which is across from the Long Island Rail Road station entrance and has 96 parking spots, was first leased by the village from St. Agnes Cathedral in 2000. It is the only municipal parking field not owned by the village.

Donna DiVirgilio, a resident of Rockville Centre since 1998, said she was disappointed with the new metered parking. “We have a voice,” she reminded Mayor Mary Bossart and the other trustees. “Public input on the lot should have been considered before a decision was ever made. This was obviously not done, and most residents can’t afford the new fee.”

DiVirgilio, like other residents who lined up behind the lectern to speak, offered alternative solutions that they said could have worked better than the new system. She suggested raising the price of all commuter parking permits to cover the cost of the lease, which starts at $62,750 for each of the first two years of the contract and gradually rises, peaking at $68,500 in the 10th year.

“There’s no other way to meet costs,” Bossart countered. “We felt we needed to keep the lease, because we may have never gotten the lot back. It was the best thing to do.” She told the audience that while the new system is not welcomed by many commuters, it will be monitored over the coming months, and changes could be implemented as soon as next month.

Bossart cited the bad economy as a major reason for the new fee. And despite the outcry from residents, she strongly defended the decision of the board and said that the village did not implement it with any joy.

“I can’t afford to park in the lot, and now I might have to leave Rockville Centre because of it,” said Craig Lombardo, who lives in the brick apartment complex on Clinton Avenue. “I love this town. Now my wife and I might have to move elsewhere.”

The Lombardos recently married at St. Agnes, and although Craig was not born in Rockville Centre, he said during his comments that he is devoted to the village. He relies heavily on the Front Street lot, and he has sent numerous e-mails to Village Administrator Frank Quigley explaining the financial predicament that the new system creates for him.

Rebecca Horowitz, a regular on either the 6:33 or 6:45 a.m. train to Penn Station, said, “I’m not sure how revenue will be generated if no one parks there.” Last week, Horowitz said, she saw only a couple of cars parked in the St. Agnes lot while she was waiting for her train.

While almost all public comment about the new system was negative, Donna Joyce, another longtime resident, had a different outlook. “Parking is a big problem in the village and it needs to be addressed,” Joyce said. “I don’t see anything wrong with the new system.” She said that the $4 fee was acceptable in light of the lack of ample commuter parking close to the train station.

Residents who use the lot must pay at one of the two meter consoles near the entrance, which accept credit cards and coins.

Village trustees approved the new fees for the lot after public budget discussions last April.

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