Cape May Park and Pay
If you cruise down the Garden State Parkway on the way to Cape May without EZ-Pass, don’t assume you won’t be digging for any more quarters. Seasoned visitors to the last resort in New Jersey know enough to pack a large piggy bank before departing. This year, it’s likely you may consider feeding not only your pig, but a few piglets as well.
If it has their way, city council wants to raise the cost of parking by giving only fifteen, instead of twenty, minutes for every quarter shoved into a parking meter. They are also considering putting meters on the east side of town, a largely residential area.
This came about during a brainstorming session when the mayor, city manager, and council members tried to come up with ideas for improving the city’s image. First, they considered adding more sand to the skimpy beaches, thinking that, with larger beaches, they could rake in more revenue from beach tag sales. This was rejected when someone pointed out that the Wildwoods have been stealing sand from Cape May for decades. Another member suggested erecting toll booths at each entrance to the city. When someone pointed out that this measure might keep some visitors from even entering Cape May, they considered putting the booths at the exits to the city, similar to the method of extortion used by the state when people leave. They finally rejected both options because high-speed toll lanes would be required in the event the governor’s motorcade paid a visit.
Many other proposals were considered, including a three-mile-per-hour speed limit, a sure revenue builder, but someone pointed out that this would take vehicles too long to go from parking meter to parking meter, resulting in a net loss, when all was considered. Or so they say.
So, decreasing the parking meter time won first prize, but the ordinance won’t be introduced until May 15, and probably won’t be implemented until sometime in July. Unsubstantiated rumors suggest that they’re considering making the increases (in fees) retroactive. Parkers will be required to take SASE’s to mail in the additional parking fees they didn’t have to pay before the ordinance took effect.
Much of this came about because the town manager claimed that the city has a meter revenue loss of $387,000 from 2002 through 2006. This is much like saying I had a revenue increase of $387,000 by not buying a Lamborghini. Either way, neither of us can spend the virtual money.
Of course, they project an increase of $280,000 per year if the plan is implemented. No one stated whether or not they factored in the number of visitors who will consider The Lobster House (free parking) as their total Cape May visit before heading to the Wildwoods via the free one-way toll on Ocean Drive.
Part of the phantom loss of revenue was caused by suspending parking meter operations during the winter, first from November 1 to April 1, and presently until May 1. With the two winters factored from the equation, the revenue loss was really only $386,675.25.
Some residents have raised concerns about the proposal, especially with the parking meters on the east side. They say that, hypothetically, if they keep their vehicles parked in front of their homes full time, it would cost $4416 per annum for each vehicle. Because the price of gas, as well as the fuel efficiency of each vehicle, varies, it’s almost impossible to determine whether parking or driving will cost them more. They suggested that they should share in the revenue generated by the meters in front of their homes. Someone else stated that the city should pay the cost of creating off-street parking areas for any homes with enough space. Neither the mayor, nor the city manager, has responded to their concerns.
And the city is not without its own problems. They have hired a firm to do a cost-benefit analysis, factoring in the number of additional meter maids required, especially since many would have to be recruited from other countries. They have also considered keeping the same number of coin cops, but increasing the size of the collection boxes on the meters. This could require purchasing an armored vehicle to transport the cash. Another proposal calls for a central collection system, where the money would roll directly into city hall from the meters, simplifying the process and reducing the payroll. Some meters have already been designated for receiving credit card readers within a few months. About the only option not under consideration is a home equity loan officer stationed at each bank of meters.
Don’t get me wrong - Cape May remains a prestigious historical resort town with many attractions for young and old. It’s still a great place to drive through, and if you don’t speed, they haven’t yet figured out how to charge for that.
For the real story, visit Press of Atlantic City.