Parking in Onset has been an issue for years, and town officials are working on a program to manage the parking needs of residents, local businesses and tourists in the area.

After a recent study done by the Community Economic Development Authority and the consulting firm Nelson Nygaard, Harbormaster Garry Buckminster was tabbed to work on a parking program. The program focused on protecting residential parking from out-of-town beachgoers, identified areas for free parking and areas that have high demand.

"We're not creating extra parking but we're finally trying to manage it," said Town Administrator Derek Sullivan.

Buckminster proposed a plan where residents could purchase a parking permit for on street parking in residential areas near the beaches and gives them access to the transfer station. Stickers would be $30 and $15 for seniors, and there would also be options for $5 visitor permits and free day-trip guest passes

Buckminster also proposed a plan for non-resident parking, which would require a $50 sticker and would allow non-residents to "battle it out" for parking with everyone else on a strip of Highland Avenue and 10th Avenue.

"The fees to residents should be basically non-existent," Selectman Patrick Tropeano said, and both he and Selectman Judith Whiteside agreed that there wasn't a need for any non-residential on-street parking and that they could utilize one of the town parking lots instead.

"I can see giving out residential parking permits so residents can park. Non-residents-- fend for yourself," Tropeano said. "I can see us setting up other parking areas or putting kiosks up, but I'm concerned about the residents parking."

Buckminster said the kiosks will be up and running on May 1 on weekends and will be running seven days a week starting May 15.

"The goal is to take care of the residents, so if they have to leave their house because they ran out of mustard, they can come back and actually park in front of their house," Sullivan said. "They don't have non-residents coming to the beach parked in front of their house."

Buckminster said he tried to provide the fairest plan, taking into account the boaters who paid for one of the 600 moorings in the harbor.

"I will not vote to allow non-residents to park in residential areas," Tropeano said.

Also part of the program was a business parking plan, which would offer a portion of Temple Lot as a business parking area. Business owners could purchase a $10 permit for each employee to use during the times they are working.

"This is what we needed to do--sit down and fine tune this to what is going to work in the best interest of everybody," Buckminster said.