More On The NHS

Parking Problem

To the Editor:

I understand that Ms Allen has concerns [Letter Hive April 18, 2008, “Rebuttal To “A Solution To The NHS Parking Problem”] about an idea for solving the Newtown High School parking problems. I believed in my original letter I had made it clear that almost no new resources need to be utilized from the school or town. I hope to be able to alleviate her concerns with this letter.

Visitors already must check in at the office when arriving at the high school. Once they check in, that will be when they receive the temporary and dated parking pass to place on their rear view mirror.

Security, teachers, and other faculty will not need to roam the parking lot searching for violators. The contracted towing company would accomplish that task and when they find a vehicle that is in violation, they will tow it. In respect to the visitor spaces, the tow truck operators will only tow if they have seen a vehicle in the visitor spaces with no temporary pass for more than 30 minutes. That will be plenty of time for someone to obtain a pass and put it on their mirror.

The only reason a parent would be irate would be because their child violated the rules and were caught. Once the cost of breaking the rules rises, they won’t be broken as often. This same system was used on my university campus and was very effective.

David Larson

PO Box 3355, Newtown                                                   April 25, 2008