Legal Issues Hold Up Borough Valet Parking Proposal

The Newtown Borough Council will hold another meeting next week to iron out the final details on a proposal to bring valet parking to State Street in time for the holiday season.

The concept, first proposed last week and addressed again Tuesday evening, seeks to alleviate a problematic parking situation on State Street.

General Manager Erica Darragh, who is spearheading the effort, came before council Tuesday seeking to finalize the necessary permissions to get valet parking started as soon as possible.  She said she wants valet parking to begin in the coming weeks so shoppers can take full advantage of the service during the holiday season.

However, some outstanding legal issues, including contracts between a responsible party and the valet company, should be addressed prior to council approval, Borough Solicitor Paul Cohen explained. Cohen added council also needs more information on the attendant’s kiosk that will be required to hold keys as well as the signage needed to notify patrons.

The proposal seeks to utilize 40 spaces at the Centre Avenue lot behind the Wine and Spirits Shoppe for valet parking. Darragh said the service would come at no cost to the borough or its merchants. Patrons who wish to utilize the valet service would be charged $7 to park for the day. The service is being proposed for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Darragh expressed frustration that the proposal couldn’t be approved Tuesday. She said she believed she did the necessary legwork prior to the meeting to have the proposal approved this week.

“We understand your concern to do this quickly but we want to make sure that everything is done correctly under the law,” Council President Julia Woldorf said.

Borough Council will utilize its third meeting of the month, which is always scheduled but typically held on an as-needed basis, to discuss the topic of valet parking.

That meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall.