More Evidence Of "The Tyranny Of The Quarter," The Problem Plaguing The City (Or Possibly Just Jen Belton and Tom Depietro). Will Tonight's Meeting Offer Any Succor?

 

Tune in to tonight's Parking Study Committee meeting to discover (if you can understand what anyone is saying) where progress stands on ridding the city of the recently discovered troubling phenomenon known as the  "tyranny of the quarter," as well as how much longer it is going to be before we see any of the several $10,000 parking kiosks installed along Warren Street that have been gathering dust in a DPW storage shed on Dock Street for the past 4 months.

This morning on Warren Street.  Meters 
flashing FAIL are common, but drivers 
don't know what to make of them.  I think that 
FAIL means the 9 volt battery inside is dead.
Or is that when the word DEAD flashes? 
OH, THE TYRANNY!

I would not be at all surprised if Jen Belton and/or Tom Depietro break down in tears due to the frustration of not being able to get anything accomplished with the kiosks other than buying and storing them.  (The invoice from the kiosk company had Tom's name in the ship-to address.)  Rob Perry's name will likely be mentioned at least once, but don't expect to hear his voice or see his face.  Many of the same issues the committee has been "studying" for months will be rehashed, as if they've all been forgotten about.

My guess is that Jen will be announcing an updated schedule for the three phases of the kiosk project, none of which will take place this spring as was planned and announced months ago. Don't be surprised if the year 2026 figures partially or wholly in the planned rollout of the kiosks we see so desperately need to increase parking revenue and get rid of those pesky, tyrannical quarters causing such trouble for everyone and the city's bottom line.