Mayor Chance Mullen presented a list of ideas for parking improvements to the Pelham village board on Feb. 25 in response to concerns brought to the trustees on Jan. 28 and Feb. 11 by residents of 305 Sixth Ave.

“The village will always be trying to provide as much parking as we can to support tenants, but there is only so much we can do and only so much that we should do,” said Mullen. “I would encourage folks who aren’t crazy about the options available through the village, your first stop should be with your landlord or your co-op board, not the village board. If your landlord is interested in purchasing any of our property and turning it into a parking lot, we can work with them to make sure it is done in accordance with the law.”

The ideas Mullen listed for consideration included:

• Policy change so that no one gets a second permit until everyone gets their first. (This is already in effect and does not apply to current permits.)
• Periodic confirmation of interest in applying for permits.
• Removing non-responses from the waiting list.
• Install signage clearly prioritizing permit versus meter and street parking (implementing now).
• Remove meters in Lot Four and on Fourth Avenue behind DeCicco & Sons (implementing now).
• Better integrate valet parking practices (implementing now).
• Consider reducing the number of parking permit waiting lists and use zones instead of lots.
• Consider creating a separate list of location change requests for permit parking.
• Consider automation of the permit waiting list through a private vendor.
• Consider a price increase by about $15 to $20 to better align with the market.
• Consider adjusting the Passport parking app to allow 15-minute-interval purchases as well as the addition of 15-minute parking zones and spaces for quick pickups and takeout. (After the board discussed this, it was changed to a 30-minute purchase to avoid an increase in the number of parking tickets.)
• Consider utilizing the Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG) to replace meters throughout the village.
• Explore a possible new parking lot at Carol Avenue and Boulevard West that could serve also serve as a flood water detention center.

In other business, Cindy Kelly and Sue Ellen, a representative from outdoor furniture company Janus et Cie., gave a presentation to the board about furniture for the outdoor area on the second floor of the new Municipal Center.

Mullen said there was a need to “have flexibility” with the outdoor furniture. He also asked about its durability in inclement weather.

Ellen said all products are made to “withstand the elements” so the furniture will dry fast, is mold resistant and is heavy to prevent damage from high winds.

During public comment, Steve Bartoli, a resident of 88 Lincoln Ave., said that the process of demolishing the old fire house has caused cracking in the walls and shaking of his building.

Mullen said he will have a conversation with the building inspector about the cracks. He said the asbestos in the former fire station has already been removed, and the building was being taken down floor by floor.

Aiden Reynolds was sworn in during the meeting as a firefighter for the Village of Pelham Fire Department. He is the third generation of his family to serve in the department.