The Derby Parking Authority is considering adding parking meters to Minerva Street.
Downtown Derby already has meters along Elizabeth and Olivia streets and one small portion of Minerva, for people visiting downtown shops and the Superior Court.
But the authority is now evaluating whether to add more.
“It’s been something we’ve been talking about for a few months,” said Joseph Moore, a member of the authority.
The group met Thursday to discuss a contract for more meters. That discussion was held in executive session and public discussion on the topic was tabled until the authority can do more research, Moore said.
Executive sessions are meetings closed to the public, allowed under state law in certain circumstances, such as when discussing legal strategy, a real estate deal of a specific public employee.
After the meeting, Moore said the authority is looking to purchase replacement meters, and add more meters for Elizabeth Street where spots have been added after paving.
The Minerva Street parking meters discussion is still very tentative, Moore said.
“There’s been some opposition already,” Moore said, citing concern among businesses downtown. “We have to look at the big picture, and determine whether or not we’d be able to put them there without a problem.”
One of the issues prompting the discussion is the fact that people coming to court often park on Minerva — sidestepping meters and clogging up local parking where residents might otherwise park.
If meters are placed in the area, residents could get stickers for their cars to park in designated spots on the street, Moore said.
The funds generated from the meters could help the parking authority fix its crumbling garage.
The authority has already bumped up the parking meter and garage rates downtown, in an effort to make some more cash.
