By John Lynds
With on street parking at a premium in East Boston there is a new city initiative to alleviate some of the time spent circling around the block several times hoping for a spot to open up.
Starting this month the Boston Public Schools will adopt a new parking policy at Eastie schools with parking lots so residents can begin parking their cars when on street parking is unavailable.
“Beginning this month, the Boston Public Schools will apply a uniform set of parking policies at all BPS schools that have parking lots,” said BPS’s liaison to the Council James Reginald Colimon. “This plan aims to balance the needs of school staff and the needs of community members, particularly in neighborhoods where parking can be at a premium.”
The city devised the plan to balance the needs of school staff as well as residents here.
Residents can begin parking at the all Eastie schools with parking.
While parking situations vary at each school and parking will be limited at these schools during after school and weekend activities, for the most part BPS will be able to accommodate residents with off street parking at these locations whenever possible.
With that said the new policy applies to all BPS Schools and is enforced year-round at the discretion of the school principal.
As part of the plan parking lots will have ample signage indicating prohibited parking spaces and contact information for towing companies.
From Monday- Friday between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. all cars can park in BPS lots in designated spaces on a “first-come first-served basis”.
From Friday at 6 p.m. to Monday at 6 a.m. BPS lots will be open to parking on a “first-come first-served” basis.
There will be no parking at these lots during snow events.
Signage will also be posted by schools 48 hours prior to any school-related event that prohibits parking between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays or on weekends.