BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- Drivers visiting the village's downtown might notice new 2-hour parking signs installed in about 90 percent of the business district, and may see the village's new parking enforcement officer scanning vehicles with a handheld tool to ensure compliance with the new policy.

The village's new free two-hour parking policy was approved several weeks ago, and the signs, painting and infrastructure to guide residents and visitors are nearly in place.

And according to a recent post on the village's Facebook page, the DPW is now in the process of curb painting special parking spots for handicapped and 15-minute zones.

"The parking lots in downtown Potsdam have been updated with new signs and paint striping. We have increased handicap accessible parking by nearly 20 spots, so it is easier to access downtown businesses," said Village Police Chief Michael Ames in a recent statement.

"We have moved overnight parking into all the parking lots and initiated a permit system so those who want consistent parking (which includes 24-hour parking) can find it without searching and coming up empty handed," Ames said.

The village implemented the new free, 2-hour parking policy after months of discussion and study on the matter. The village board's goal was to take the opportunity, in the wake of a planned overhaul and rehabilitation of the downtown under the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding, to phase out its aging and decrepit coin-fed parking meters and implement a new policy to encourage traffic and business to the Market Street block.

Several options were discussed, including digital parking kiosks which the village board ultimately passed on.

The eventual outcome was the phasing out of the village's decrepit coin-fed parking meters in favor of free two-hour parking throughout most of the business area around Market Street, and along Main, Elm, Maple and Raymond streets.

The new system also designates 15-minute drop off and pick up parking spots, additional handicapped spots and overnight parking in all of the municipal lots off-street.

Village police are using a new handheld digital parking enforcement tool from the firm T2 Parking Solutions to keep parking turning over downtown under the new policy. Turnover was a reason the original paid meter system was implemented and a concern for some with the new two-hour system.  

The tool utilizes a cellular data connection to photograph and scan vehicle plates and tire positions, functioning essentially as a virtual tire chalking device.

Potsdam is contracting with the firm for $9,960, which covers $3,000 for the tool itself, training costs, and startup of the system.

Currently, tickets generated by the new software are warning tickets only to allow time for the public to adjust to the new parking rules and system.

To secure a parking permit, or to pay tickets issued in the future, drivers can visit https://www.potsdampolice.com/parking .

Public reaction to the village's new parking policy has been somewhat mixed during the transition. More than 40 comments are posted on the municipality's Facebook page regarding the new policy. A few outspoken commenters voiced criticism of the policy but most inquired about details of the policy itself.

"Please know that we are going to continually monitor this new parking situation. Updating something that hasn’t been updated in 30+ years takes some time to work everything out," the village said in one of the posts.