Permit holders may get reduced ticket fees — or none at all

Warwick — Last month, the Village of Warwick proposed reducing parking tickets to permit holders who fail to display their placards in the permit-only Chase Bank parking lot on South Street. Instead of paying the $25 ticket for unauthorized parking, if a permit holder goes to the Village Court before the end of the next business day with the valid permit, the ticket would be reduced to $10. Some permit holders, though, had other ideas. “I already pay $200 for use of my space,” said Carol Bartnowski, owner of The Inkwell and longtime permit holder. “The village’s position used to be that the ticket was voided when you showed the valid permit. I feel we’re being penalized while paying for the permit. Others have parked illegally and never get tickets. I feel there should be no fine if you can produce the permit.” “Why punish people in conformance who make a mistake?” asked Dave Bartnowski. “Enforce all of the parking, not just those who forgot their permits.” Trustee George McManus suggested the board keep the public hearing open until village officials could discuss the possibilities with police. The village leases the lot from Chase Bank and rents out the 75 spots on a yearly basis. The public hearing will continue Monday, April 21, at 7:30 in the Village Hall.