West Salem Village Board votes down parking proposal

A proposed two-hour parking ordinance during the day in West Salem’s downtown business district is voted down after input from village residents.

On Tuesday, the village board voted 6-0 against the ordinance which would have carried a $75 dollar fine.

The ordinance would have established a two-hour parking zone along the two-block length of South Leonard Street in the business district.  It would have limited parking between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Before the vote, both residents and business owners shared their thoughts in favor or in opposition to the ordinance.

Village Administrator Teresa Delong said before the meeting that the high fine wasn’t meant as a revenue generator for the village but more of a way to get compliance from owners, employees, and residents.

The issue came up from residents frustrated with not finding enough parking in the village’s downtown area or having to park farther away as spots on the street were