Parking in Onset — always a hot topic in town — was up for discussion at the Road Commissioner’s April 12 meeting, although no major changes were made.

The kiosks at the Onset Pier, the parking along the park across the street from the pier, angled spots on Union Avenue, the Temple Parking Lot and the Shell Point Beach Parking Lot will be turned on from June 1 to Sept. 15. The kiosks are operational between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., except for at the Pier, where the kiosk stays on until 10 p.m.

On the pier, those with handicap placards, disabled veteran plates or placards, and veterans can park for free.

The residential parking program will be in effect from May 1 to Oct. 31. Residents can purchase parking passes beginning soon. Garry Buckminster of the Department of Natural Resources said passes would be for sale online by April 19. Passes cost $10 each. Onset homeowners can purchase up to four visitor passes for $5 each.

There is a 72-hour limit on parking in Onset.

The commission also discussed parking for those who work in Onset. The commissioners decided on a 20-pass limit for business parking passes. Business passes are available for $10 each, and are good in certain areas of Onset. Business passes can only be used by employees who are actively working. Business passes are for sale at the Department of Natural Resources. There will be a waiver available for businesses needing more than 20 passes.

The commissioners discussed the parking at Hines Field and Lopes Field. Parking at Hines Field is always free. While Lopes Field is primarily for kids to play in, it has been used as parking in the past for large events like the fireworks. Both fields are under the control of the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator, but the commissioners agreed that Lopes Field should only be used for parking as a last resort. 

For more information about parking in Onset, go to www.wareham.ma.us/parking.