Residents Call For Tighter Restrictions on Basking Ridge Train Station Parking

"Free" parking just outside the Basking Ridge Train Station could disappear shortly, if the township steps up enforcement of parking violations.

Catherine Cianciara, a citizen of Basking Ridge who resides on Ridge St., presented the Township Committee with a proposal suggesting parking prohibition on Turner St. at Tuesday's meeting.

To avoid parking permit fees at the Basking Ridge Station, residents and non-residents alike are opting for the free parking available on streets adjacent to the station that do not have parking restrictions. 

Basking Ridge Station has two parking lots available. Lot 1 is located on Ridge Street and offers 53 spaces. There are a limited amount of free parking spots available on a "first come first served" basis, the rest require permits at a cost of $150 a year for residents and $250 for non-residents. Lot 2 is located on Washington Ave. and it offers 36 spots where a permit is required. 

With the current economic downturn and a recent increase in train ticket prices ($14 from Basking Ridge to NY Penn Station up from $11.25 effective May 1), it is no surprise that more and more cars are crowding the streets in order to save a buck. 

"Commercial use of a quiet, residential side street is negatively impacting our property value and our privacy," Cianciara asserts. 

Furthermore, parking on both sides of the streets is dangerous for drivers, turning what should be a two way street into a one way. The congestion of parked cars also makes it impossible for street cleaners to properly clean the roadway. 

Ciancara suggests in her proposal that "No Parking 2am-7pm" should be placed on Turner St, the same signs that are placed on Conkling St. near the Basking Ridge Station and on Lyons St. near the Lyons Station.

Jim Decoste has lived at 8 Turner St. for 43 years and has noticed a significant accumulation of cars lining the road.

"It is obvious that people are using it to avoid the cost of parking in the upper lot. There are about 4 or 5 cars parked in the upper lot on a daily basis," Decoste says. "Nobody ever parks up there." 

Board Engineer, Peter Messina, remarked that he is aware of the problem and has been working with the police department to come up with a viable solution. They are looking for a permanent solution. If parking is just prohibited on Turner St. during commuter hours, the problem will most likely move to the next closest street to the train station without parking restrictions. 

The township does plan to take some action in the near future.