On February 23, 2026, the Town of York Selectboard voted 4-1 to increase the cost of resident permits from $40 to $60,  a resident senior increase from $20 to $30 (with non-seniors paying the full non-resident price), and to establish an $80 non-resident property-owner fee. That is a 50% charge increase for all residents, and a 100% increase for non-residents.

This current process of changing parking fees belongs to the Selectboard entirely, yet such an immense hike in price feels like a decision which should belong to the majority and not the minority. Which is why I am looking for support to ask the Selectboard to reconsider this decision, and to propose an ordinance requiring a public vote on any resident or non-resident parking permit fee increases in the future.

Online and offline, citizens have been very vocal about their disapproval. This is one of the rare instances where a comments section truly reflects the same conversations being had in real life. The people have made it clear that they view this as an unfair and unclearly motivated decision. Undoing the recent Parking Fee Program amendment, and establishing an ordinance requiring voter approval in the future, would send a strong message that the wants and needs of the tax payers must be taken into account more seriously. 

The first criteria considered by the Selectboard, per the Parking Permit Program 3.A (available online to review), states: The need and desire of the residents for permit parking and their willingness to bear the administrative costs. 

Signing this petition is a step to making our, the locals, needs and desires heard. (To clarify, the official petition will need physical signatures on paper. If you are willing and eligible to add your physical signature, you can access this Google Form so I can contact you or message me on Messenger--I am in college and work full time, I apologise if I don't get back to you there right away)

I grew up in York, and have been shocked since returning home from 4 years in CO to see how different it is. Not just from changing with the times; it's the entire attitude and landscape. I was chomping at the bit to leave, but coming back has made me feel connected to my hometown in a way that younger me never experienced. I've spoken a lot about my ideas, my excitement to see them through after graduation, but they all come back to the same thing: We can show how much we love and care about York by fighting for the things we believe in. Even something so small and retroactive, like this parking fee ordinance, represents how us locals can come together for something we all believe is important. Reviving York won't come from the outside, it will come from our hearts.