Pushback Leads Rutherford Council to Table Proposal for Eliminating Free Sunday Parking

RUTHERFORD – Local officials have discussed removing the Sunday luxury known as free parking near many businesses in the borough.

But the effort hit a snag this week.

Without explanation at the dais, the Borough Council unanimously voted to pull the proposed ordinance from the Monday night meeting agenda – what would have rolled back the exception on Sundays, when drivers don’t have to pay for spots next to parking meters or in municipal lots.

The measure had been up for introduction. Afterwards, however, several officials referenced pushback from residents as the reason for wanting to pause and reevaluate.

Cars parked on Park Avenue.

Right now, Sunday is the only day of the week when parking is free under Ch. 126 of the borough’s code. On the other six days of the week, a person has to pay 25 cents for 15 minutes of parking between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Administrator Bob Kakoleski said the ordinance was proposed to address an influx of people who’d been parking in the spots on Sundays but not moving their vehicles for most of the day, limiting their availability for patrons.

The town also saw its popular corridors as a chance to make an estimated $50,000 additional per year in revenue, he added during that post-meeting interview.

“It would be a user-based fee,” said Kakoleski, instead of more taxes.