Despite Labor Day coming and going, one thing hasn't left Damariscotta: the traffic.

Damariscotta Police Chief Ron Young said the town's prolonged busyness has him rethinking the ending of the ticketing season in the municipal parking lot.

Speaking with the selectmen Wednesday, Sept. 3, Young said the summer of ticketing cars that lingered too long in the municipal parking lot was a success, and wouldn't mind seeing the date moved beyond Labor Day.

“I'd be in favor of enforcing (the parking restrictions) longer, at least past Labor Day,” he said.

For the year, the police department has received approximately $7,800 in parking fines. The department has a $14,000 revenue line for parking enforcement, meaning the department is more than half-way there.

“We've been seeing about $600 a week in revenue from parking enforcement,” Young said. “I think some people will ignore (the ticket) but I think most have paid their fines.”

Town Manager Matt Lutkus said the goal of the parking enforcement was not to raise money, but instead to keep the turnover rate in the lot high.

“We've seen success in the turnover rate,” he said. “I think it's been successful in having people not stay in one spot for too long.”

The problem with keeping the enforcement longer is that the two enforcement officers have left: One to go back to school, the other to drive a school bus, Young said.

Young said that parking is like speeding: those who received tickets most assuredly deserved them.

“I think I've only had to void a few parking tickets this year,” he said. “A few were for handicap spots, and I just asked that they provide an up-to-date (handicap parking sticker) and I would void the ticket.”

When it comes to speeding enforcement, Young praised the efforts of Officer James Dotson, who is learning to issue tickets to drivers who speed through town.

“With speeding enforcement, we're out as much as we can be,” he said. “Everyone who is pulled over deserves a ticket: Some towns say 10-over is acceptable, but I think it depends on the situation.”

Young referenced the back-to-school season, plus the remaining tourists, as reasons for tough speeding enforcement.

“Depending on the situation, in some areas I would say five-over (the speed limit) isn't acceptable,” he said.