Commuters from Natick are in for a jolt: The town has approved a 27 percent hike in commuter parking rates. Town administrator Melissa Malone, though, says the new rates are comparable to those in neighboring towns.
Starting Jan. 1, Natick residents will pay $825 for an annual permit, which is an increase of $175 dollars from this year and equals approximately $3.35 a day. The rate increase amounts to $45 more than what Framingham residents pay to park in one of its lots.
The increase is well below the $6 a day it costs to park at the West Natick MBTA lot, Malone said. The rate for non-residents in Natick will go up to $1,200 per year, she said, which represents an increase of $250 from last year and $120 more than what is charged in Wellesley and Framingham (Waverly lot) and $240 more than what is charged in Framingham (Pearl lot).
Natick reviewed how much it cost to maintain the South Avenue commuter lot, Malone said, and selectman decided an increase was necessary. Maintenance expenses for snow removal, repainting parking spaces, enforcement and other expenses came to an estimated cost of $83,000, Malone said, which includes the $57,000 annual expense of leasing the property from the Boston Archdiocese.
"The town of Natick understands residents' sensitivity to cost," Malone said. "However, the commuter parking permit increase covers the cost to maintain the commuter parking lot, inclusive off the cost to lease the lot, snow, ice and maintenance. "
