By Carol McCracken  (Post # 344)

If you didn’t already receive the memo, the public should be forewarned that the city ban on parking cars on city streets will start earlier this year than in previous years; the ban begins at 6:00 p.m. and continues until 6:00 a.m. the next morning.  In previous years, the parking ban has not begun until  10:00 p.m.

Failure to get your car off the city streets by 6:00 p.m. will result in towing and all the costs resulting in that including impound fee, ticket cost and all outstanding tickets must be paid before the car is released back to the owner.  Vehicles will be towed to the city’s impound lot located at the Ocean Gateway Internatioal Marine Terminal at 14 Ocean Gateway Pier.  The phone number is 774-3025. 

In order to receive the latest on the parking ban, the public is encouraged to sign up online at www.portlandmaine.gov. to receivfe email notices from the city when a city-wide parking ban is implemented.  This year people can also get updates through www.facebook.com or receiving tweets from www.twiwtter.com.  People can call the parkinf ban hotline at 879-0300 or check the time and temperature sign for up-to-date postings.

For Hill residents, one of the closest off street parking locations are the Cutter Street lots (off the Eastern Promenade).