Following an April 21, 2026 listening session, the Town Manager is recommending that the Selectboard form an ad-hoc Parking Committee of 5–7 residents plus ex officio staff (Town Manager, Public Works Director, Police Chief) to develop recommendations on a broad set of parking issues across Mount Desert. The committee will look at stricter sidewalk parking enforcement, potential one-way and traffic flow changes on Steamboat Wharf Road, creation of paid parking near Northeast Harbor Marina, rules for commercial vehicle parking, enforcement of timed and overnight parking, and signage improvements, with initial recommendations expected in the fall. This is a classic pre-RFP planning phase where policies, enforcement approaches, and infrastructure changes are being scoped but no vendors have been selected.Consultants specializing in parking studies, transportation planning, curb management, paid parking systems, enforcement technology, and public engagement can offer to support the committee and town leadership as they evaluate options, design permit or paid parking programs, select technology platforms, and plan any capital changes resulting from the committee’s recommendations.

Topics explicitly include potential paid parking near Northeast Harbor Marina and changes to enforcement and traffic patterns, indicating likely future procurements for systems and implementation.