Towing Resumes on Munjoy Hill

City staffers have asked elected officials for permission to resume towing illegally parked cars on Munjoy Hill, as a result of the Valentine’s Day snowstorm, when City workers encountered problems providing basic services such as clearing the streets of snow.

East End Councilor Kevin Donoghue said that he has given the go-ahead for City workers to enforce City ordinances as they are currently written, in regard to parking issues.

The City mailed 2500 postcards to residents on February 15th detailing the City’s policy. The notices say that the City has resumed its practice of towing vehicles that are parked in violation of the posted street maintenance signs. These signs prohibit parking on one side of each street between 8:00 a.m. and noon on Mondays & Tuesdays. Vehicles parked in violation of the signs will be ticketed, and if the City has to perform a street maintenance function such as snow removal, catch basin cleaning or street sweeping etc., then cars in violation will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The Bollard (www.thebollard.com), reported on October 20th that, except in emergency circumstances, wreckers could no longer tow vehicles on Munjoy Hill. Cars on the wrong side of the street during street-sweeping days were ticketed, but not towed. However, it was reported at the time that towing was to resume on the Hill during snow-removal parking bans this winter.

Former East End City Councilor Will Gorham said that he pursued getting the towing ban enacted because of abuses by tow truck operators. Any questions regarding the City’s parking policies can be addressed by calling (207) 874- 8443 or at www.portlandmaine.gov.org.