By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

Cape Elizabeth residents responded loudly and clearly at a town council workshop Monday about parking fees at Fort Williams.

Their recommendation: No.

A majority of approximately 60 residents opposed the proposal from the Fort Williams Advisory Commission.

If implemented, new fees would require Cape Elizabeth residents to pay $10 per year for a season pass to park at the site. Non-residents would pay $20 per year.

Visitors could pay an hourly fee ranging from $1 per hour to a maximum of $5 for the day.

  Tour buses, campers, and trolleys would pay variable rates based on different factors such as cruise ship affiliations.

Commission member Bill Nickerson said this system would raise approximately $250,000 this year and $309,000 next year.

The commission was asked by the council to find a way to generate $200,000 per year to make the park self-sustaining Nickerson said.

Maureen McCarthy, another commission member, said Fort Williams’ budget for 2010 was $173,000, which is supported by the town’s general fund.

Twenty-three people took the microphone passed around council chambers – 20 people were against the idea of charging for parking, two were in favor and one person was undecided.

  “The process here is for us to hear and learn from the citizens,” said Town Councilor Frank Governali.

  Resident George Morse said, “I favor the proposals that the advisory committee has put forward. Fees for Scarborough’s parks are several times what’s being proposed here.”

In 2006, Cape voters defeated a similar measure in a local referendum by a count of 3,145 to 1,951. In that referendum, voters were asked if they wanted a “pay/display” parking system to collect fees from non-residents at Fort Williams.

“When we had the last referendum, the people were very clear about how they felt. Come back and ask us again,” said resident Carol Day.

“I think I just voted against fees recently and it’s coming up again,” resident Tom Gray said. “This feels a little like TABOR. ”

The council will discuss the proposal at another workshop Jan. 25 with a final vote possible Feb. 8.

“We are beginning this process. None of us have made a determination that February is going to be it,” said Town Councilor David Sherman. “One of the things I’m hearing is that we may have to go back to a referendum.”

“I’m annoyed to have to come back here to talk about this after the town resoundingly defeated it,” said resident Priscilla Armstrong.

“I’m still neutral on this,” said Frank Stroud. “The fees should stay at the fort if you’re going to designate fees. I’m glad we’re having this debate.”

Many speakers urged the council to consider other ideas for generating revenue to make the park financially solvent. Suggestions ran the gamut from offering food service, to boosting fees for the Beach to Beacon road race to hosting concerts with big name performers like James Taylor.

Anne Meinert, a South Portland native now living in St. Louis, Mo., got engaged to her husband at Fort Williams.   She said during a visit to the park last week she was disappointed to hear the council was considering a parking fee,

“It seems like Cape Elizabeth can find other ways to fund their needs than to kind of take away this free access and limit who can come out,” said Meinert. 

“It’s a shame. It’s such a recognizable spot. I think most people in the area have fond memories of it.”

Taylor Smith was also at Fort Williams last week. Originally from South Portland, he now resides in Washington, D.C. He did not like the idea of paying for parking.

“”Growing up here, I liked being able to come here for free with my friends,” Smith said. “The idea that you have to charge money for what’s public land seems a little ridiculous to me.”

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237, or news@inthesentry.com.