A few weeks ago, Kennebunkport Police Chief Joseph Bruni made a sensible recommendation to limit parking on Main Street between Spring and Green to two hours. Good for him. 

This idea was floated about eight years ago when I was on the board of selectmen. Dock Square merchants and some employees came out in droves against the idea. Anyone who monitors these 30 to 40 parking spaces in summer can see they are monopolized by people who work in Dock Square. The unfortunate result is that rather than turnover of the parking spaces, so that residents and tourists can go to town for a couple of hours, parking spots are tied up for an entire six to eight-hour shift. 

It is so bad that Graves Library had to request two spaces across the street be reserved for library patrons during library hours.

Lack of parking for Dock Square businesses isn’t anyone’s fault since the Land Use Ordinance specifically excuses those landowners from providing parking for employees or patrons. But there is a touch of arrogance that people who work in Dock Square seem to think that stretch of road is their personal parking lot. 

Many Dock Square employees use the 30 North St. parking lot and walk to town, as the tourists do. They are to be commended for not contributing to the problem. If there is some issue with safety or security, perhaps the businesses could investigate shuttling employees to Dock Square. 

It’s notable that this time around, the idea was quietly “withdrawn” for reasons unknown to the public. Unfortunately, since there is no valid explanation why such a reasonable proposal would be withdrawn, the public is left to wonder what went on behind the scenes, outside of the public meetings of the board of selectmen. 

Since Board of Selectmen Chairman Mat Lanigan – a Dock Square business owner – opposed this idea eight years ago, one could conclude that unless he has had an economic epiphany, he would oppose this idea now. The public has no way of knowing the opinions of the four other members of the board. What a shame there was no public discussion of the proposal so all voters would understand why the idea isn’t being pursued. 

Towns all over Maine – even other resorts such as Camden – limit parking near retail centers to two hours. Kennebunkport seems to want to cling to the distinction of making things convenient for businesses to the inconvenience of tourists and residents. 

Susan Graham 

Kennebunkport