By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

It’s possible that for the second time in four years, Cape Elizabeth voters will be asked whether people should pay to park at Fort Williams.

The town council voted 6-1 at its workshop Monday to consider putting the issue before citizens. The council will take a final vote on the proposal at its Feb. 8 meeting.

The referendum would be advisory, which means the council could accept or reject voters’ recommendation. It would include a proposal from the Fort Williams Advisory Commission that Cape Elizabeth residents pay $10 per year for a season pass.

 Non-residents would have to pay $20 per year. Visitors in passenger vehicles could also pay a flat rate of $5 per day if they did not want to buy a season pass.

Commission member Bill Nickerson earlier this month said the system would raise approximately $250,000 this year and $309,000 next year. The money would be used to pay for operational expenses and capital improvements in the park.

Cape Elizabeth voters four years ago defeated a similar measure 3,145 to 1,951. At that time, voters were asked if they wanted a “pay/display” parking system to collect fees at Fort Williams from non-residents.

James Walsh was the only council member who opposed the referendum. A majority of councilors said they favored a referendum because it was previously done in 2006, many citizens have strong opinions, and because they see no clear consensus among voters about this issue.

“In this situation, we need to put it out for a vote,” said Councilor Penny Jordan. 

“If we go to referendum, where do you stop?” Walsh asked. “We are elected to do the citizens’ business.”

Councilor Jessica Sullivan disagreed. 

“I want to see this go back to referendum,” she said. “It’s just too big an issue. It needs to go back to the people.”

“Democracy is incredibly messy but it’s the best system we have,” said Council Chairman Anne Swift-Kayatta.  

The Council will decide itself whether to charge fees for commercial vehicles such as tour buses and trolleys that use the park. The commission has recommended such vehicles be charged variable rates based on different factors such as cruise ship affiliations.

Commercial vehicles currently are not charged for bringing tourists to Fort Williams.

At a workshop on Jan. 4, 20 people spoke against the idea of charging for parking, two were in favor, and one person was undecided.

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