Restrictions Being Considered After Problems At Mill Street Parking Lot

It’s hard not to notice that the Mill Street Parking Lot has become a temporary home to some and a storage lot for more than a few businesses.

Bristol Borough police and elected officials have said they certainly have noticed it.

From people sleeping in vehicles overnight to local contractors using the free lot as an overnight parking area for their work vehicles, Council recognizes the problem and will consider adopting measures to cut back on the problems. An ordinance or charging for parking in the lot are measures that will be considered.

Councilman Louis Quattrocchi suggested creating an overnight parking permit for nearby residents and business owners.

Councilman Tony Riccio said he hopes for an ordinance “with some teeth,” which is something other members of Council agreed with.

“We’re becoming a storage area instead of a public parking area for everyone to use,” Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe II said.

“The guys pull up in the morning in a car – six, eight guys – get out, and get in their [work] truck and leave. And then they park there for the night,” DiGuiseppe said.

“You figure if you own a business and have to rent a lot, it’s very expensive. It’s easier to use a public lot,” he further added.

Councilman Greg Pezza, who owns Mill Street restaurant and bar Itri, said the problem has become “very noticeable.”

Aside from the businesses that use the lot for overnight parking, police officers have been finding people sleeping overnight and loitering in the parking lot, police Chief Steve Henry said.

Borough officials have noted a man who lives in an RV parked in the lot. In the past, he has complained and even suggested they allow him to hook up for water.

Riccio said the man even went as far to say the borough was “picking on him.”

“We just need to do something soon,” Council Vice President Betty Rodriguez said.