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Hastings-on-Hudson wrapped its parking meters Monday with red packaging for a two-week free parking gift to residents and visiting shoppers, who can park their cars for two-hour stints on local streets and in municipal lots while visiting the downtown area.
"The village has done this for several years," Hastings-on-Hudson Deputy Manager and Village Clerk Susan Maggiotto said. "We estimate the revenue at about $8,000 (for the two week period), but residents and store owners seem to like it and it just gives the village a holiday atmosphere."
The Hastings holiday parking moratorium includes parking in and around the Village Hall and Hastings Library. The meters go back to normal use on Dec. 26.
"It helps businesses like ours where people can relax and come in to pick up food and not worry about getting a ticket," said Isaac Garson, the owner of Slices Pizzeria on Main Street in Hastings. "It's a nice holiday thing for the village to do."
The Village of Ardsley also began its gift-wrapped meter program Monday and, according to Ardsley Police Sgt. Kevin O'Donnell, the free two-hour parking in the business district extends until Jan. 2, 2013.
The Village of Dobbs Ferry does not offer free parking but does sponsor a holiday shopping and parking program that offers $10 worth of free parking if a shopper shows proof of $50 spent in the village.
"The first 100 shoppers who come in and show receipts for $50 or more get a $10 parking card," Dobbs Ferry Finance Clerk David Fisher said. "It's a December program that is an incentive to shop in the village. We will give up to $1,000 in parking cards."
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