Downtown: More Than Meets One Man’s Eye

To the Editor,

In his letter published November 21, Dean Nahatis offered 11 suggestions to improve the town and Mike Dyer responded in the December 5 issue. As Mr. Dyer pointed out, Mr. Nahatis’s letter elides over some of the problems with his suggestions. I would like to point out a few others.
In point 4, Mr. Nahatis suggests increasing downtown parking by filling part of the Sawmill Brook (“urban swamp”). That area is protected by the Conservation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection. I doubt that either would allow it to be filled, especially to create more parking, especially as the area floods when a serious rainstorm combines with a high tide. Point 5 suggests moving Town Hall (where?) so town employees don’t use the parking area behind it. Manchester’s parking problems occur on sunny weekends in the summer and evenings when the restaurants are open. Town employees (generally) don’t work on evenings or weekends.
Point 6, “moving businesses with large trucks out of the downtown area” would undo efforts to have a walkable downtown with stores and restaurants. Crosby’s is not alone in having goods delivered in big trucks.
Part of point 9 says “eliminate the parking meters.” The parking sticks are not parking meters. They are automated Parking Control Officers. Manchester does not charge for parking unless you exceed the posted time limit. Even though the company takes a share of the fine, revenue from parking fines increased after the sticks were installed.
Sincerely,
Ann Harrison
Manchester