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PELHAM, N.Y. - Mixed reactions have accompanied the Pelham Village Board of Trustees decision to make the parking meters on Wolfs Lane and Fifth Avenue free for days before Christmas and immediately after the holiday. The program, which will go into effect on December 16 and end on December 27, received a unanimous vote.
The move was approved in order to help the residents buying gifts and to give a boost to local businesses during the busiest shopping season of the year.
It is clear from peoples reactions that the local businesses are their primary concern. Some Pelham citizens are not satisfied with the 11 day period that the board has allotted for the plan, especially when the program had been longer in years past.
It definitely should be longer for the merchants, said Pete Tiso of Tiso Appliance Repair. Without a doubt, it would help the businesses.
A few Pelham businesses have already been forced to close due to the weak economy and that has not been lost on the residents. Donna Guido, a local resident and worker at ABsolution Pilates Studio, was hoping for a months worth of free parking.
With the way the economy is right now, itd be a big help to the people shopping in town, especially considering that Im a shop owner down here, Guido said. So, to keep our businesses going because if you notice as you drive through town, all of the businesses that are going out because the economy is so poor. If we had the advantage of people being able to park for a longer period of time free, wed probably do a lot better.
The plan was praised by many Pelham residents who see it as a gift no matter how long the policy is in effect.
It helps the local businesses, which is great, Sally Winston said.
One resident thought about the plan while putting quarters in the meter.
I put a quarter in and wondered when it was going to start because I did notice it last year, Maureen Fallon said. Its a nice gift.
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