Recent changes in how the town charges for parking and handles trash in Onset have riled some citizens of the village, and at Tuesday night's Board of Selectmen meeting they stood up one after the other to let the town know how they felt about the new policies.

"Over the last three days, the implementation of the kiosks has basically put us out of business," said Christopher Whitton, owner of the Lady K, a deep-sea fishing charter boat that departs from the Onset Pier.

Whitton said that the situation was bad enough that he was considering doing business in another town or selling the business, noting that a number of his customers had been upset at receiving parking tickets after parking on the hill near the tennis courts on Union Ave.  He said that parking fees have pushed the price of a trip for one of his customers from $70 for a day to about $100.

"We didn't have a trip today, we don't have a trip tomorrow. I don't know when we're going to have another trip," said Whitton.

Parking at the Union Ave lot used to be free, while attendants collected fees at the pier prior to the installation of the kiosks. The cost at both locations is $2.50 for the first hour and $2 for each hour that follows. Bills are not accepted, but credit cards, debit cards, and coins are.

"I wouldn't say everything as it is now is how it's going to be at the start of next season," said Town Administrator Derek Sullivan, acknowledging that the policy is a work in progress and that both he and the board are open to input from citizens.

"We also need to take into consideration the residents," said Sullivan "This is a large issue we're trying to tackle."

Resident Mark Gubin suggested that parking fee be built into existing fees that boat owners already pay.

"We're not looking for a hand out, what we're looking for is access," said Gubin. "We'll gladly use the tennis court area if we can get some kind of sticker."

Selectmen Chair Peter Teitelbaum acknowledged the issue and encouraged people to be patient.

"When you're implementing any kind of new program you go through growing pains," said Teitelbaum.

Selectman Steve Holmes said that the use of town property to generate revenue through parking was an example of the town using the resources at its disposal to try to help the town make some money.

"We have a tremendous source of revenue in this town ... and that's parking," said Holmes.

Onset resident Cheryl Courtney expressed concern about the removal of trash barrels, a policy that has affected the entire town, on Onset Beach.

"Does anyone on the board care about Onset," Courtney asked rhetorically.

The policy was implemented in part to save the money it would cost to pay workers to empty the public rubbish barrels.

"There's a lot of residents like myself that pick up trash," said Courtney. According to her, the litter problem hasn't been fixed and Onset residents have been picking up the slack.

"I filled six bags in a short walk from my house to the Band Shell and back," said Courtney.

As with the parking policy, Teitelbaum said he acknowledged that the trash policy is one that will take some getting used to.

"This is an experiment," he said. "We're seeing how it works."