Common Questions/Concerns

What is the point of this petition?

The winter overnight parking ban is outdated, unnecessary, and the cause of many hardships. The pandemic-era experiment of not having a winter overnight parking ban (for two winters) showed no negative consequences to lifting the ban and made residents’ lives easier. Additionally, feedback solicited through the Mayor’s newsletter showed overwhelming support citywide for lifting or at least reforming the ban. Unfortunately, the City Council has yet to act on any substantive changes to the winter ban, including its repeal. Under the procedures set forth in the City Charter, this petition seeks a repeal of the winter overnight parking ban either through direct City Council action or a binding ballot question.

The ban doesn’t seem like a big deal to me. Can’t those people just park in the municipal lots? And shouldn’t they have known what they were getting into when they moved here?

The ban is a big deal to many in Newton who have limited driveway space but need to accommodate, for example, multiple household members who drive to work or home health aides. Municipal lots are not a realistic option for families with children and are not present in every village. Additionally, circumstances can change – new job, growing family, unexpected disability – but this is no excuse to force people out of Newton.

This seems like a dangerous idea. What do the public works, fire, and police departments think about permanently lifting the winter overnight parking ban?

At the February 22, 2023 Public Safety & Transportation Committee meeting, Public Works Commissioner Jim McGonagle, Fire Chief Greg Gentile, and Police Superintendent George McMains (speaking on behalf of Police Chief John Carmichael) all stated that permanently lifting the winter overnight parking ban will not be detrimental to public safety. They also expressed support for simply lifting the ban rather than a permit/waiver system.

This petition is backwards. We should be removing parking and installing bike lanes.

Nothing in this proposal would prevent the enactment or modification of parking regulations on a specific street, including removing parking for bike lanes.

I care about the environment and cars are bad for the environment.

One of the best ways to help the environment is to reduce “vehicle miles traveled”. We should make it easy for people who need to drive to move to and stay in Newton so that they can have shorter commutes.

My street is tight and can’t accommodate additional cars.

Nothing in this proposal would prevent the enactment or modification of parking regulations on a specific street, including one-sided parking and seasonal regulations.

I live near a major institution (BC, Lasell, etc.) and don’t want their cars in front of my house.

Nothing in this proposal would prevent the enactment or modification of parking regulations on a specific street, including permit parking and seasonal regulations.

How can I help?

In addition to signing the petition yourself, please ask all of your friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and enemies who are registered to vote in Newton to sign as well. We are also looking for volunteers who are willing to dedicate any amount of time to actively gathering signatures in the community. Please fill out this Google Form to indicate your level of interest and availability. We are grateful for financial contribution in any amount: donation info.