TOWN Clerk Royston King said the parking meter project is expected to take effect on January 9, 2016, but for informational purposes, so that persons can be familiarised on how the meters are used.During the final statutory meeting of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) at City Hall, the town clerk said that the informational phase will be conducted for a few days, after which, the project will take full effect.

King in a statement had disclosed that the M&CC will soon apply to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan for confirmation of the Georgetown parking meters by-laws.
“These by-laws seek to enforce general and specific measures to ensure the integrity of the parking meter project will be fully introduced in the City of Georgetown on January 9, 2017,” the town clerk said.
Drivers will be required to purchase “parking cards” from the Smart City Office or other vendors, in order to park at a designated area and will be required to pay $50 for every 15 minutes or $200 for every hour. The prices were approved by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
The parking cards will be available for either long or short-term use and drivers will be required to refill the cards for a specific value.
After inserting the card, a receipt will follow, which drivers must place on the front windscreen, so inspectors will see that the spot was paid for.
It was also noted that drivers will pay for parking from Monday to Saturday only, between 07:00 hrs – 19:00 hrs.
This, initiative he said, is just one of the major projects in the pipeline for 2017, given that aside from parking meters which will boost city revenues, the M&CC will be looking to employ a new strategy that will see the Council renting municipal bonds.
INTROSPECTION
As the city continues to take steps to improve income-collection and boost services, King said the M&CC has commenced introspection to outline shortfalls and look at areas where they can enhance services.
“Two pump attendants were already suspended for refusing to execute their tasks… by doing so they compromised our already fragile drainage system… so in order to find more things like these, we need to look inwards instead of just looking outwards,” stressed the town clerk.
The M&CC will be moving to implement more training programmes to bolster its human resources and to also recruit more competent individuals.
“We are stagnated by the old pattern of the old system and actions will be taken against it,” Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said.
The mayor also used the opportunity to inform the town clerk of the work of the officers/staff that operate under him. As such, she indicated to King that, “if you can’t properly manage your officers, we will manage you.”
Some shortcomings in 2016 led to the M&CC failing to complete rehabilitation of the Kitty Market; however, it was able to achieve some of its goals, such as the transformation of the Merriman Mall and reconstruction of some bridges, among other things.
Next year greater emphasis will be placed on minimising flooding in areas such as South Ruimveldt and Albouystown, the mayor said.