Two years ago, several New Windsor businesses complained about ignored and unenforceable two-hour parking signs and asked the town for 20-minute zones.
The businesses -- one is now closed -- finally got their wish: 20-minute parking signs are everywhere.
On Nov. 30, State Highway Administration workers installed the signs at 50-foot intervals along High and Main streets. Signs were posted in front of the fire hall, residences and the drugstore, closed for four months now.
They also line both sides of a popular corner restaurant and a section of Main Street where the shoulder is too narrow for parking.
Mayor Jack Gullo interrupted the posting at the fire hall and insisted on an immediate change.
"If we parked the fire engine outside during a banquet, it could be ticketed," he said.
The signs might encourage speedy business transactions, but they could cause indigestion for rushed diners at a local restaurant.
"People can't eat lunch in 20 minutes," said Gus Karolemeas, owner of the K&B; Corner Restaurant at High and Main streets. "It is affecting my business."
The mayor said a little forethought would have helped.
"They came and put signs everywhere without thinking where they were putting them," Mr. Gullo said. "I hope it's not two years before we get this fixed."
SHA took about 18 months to act on the request because it conducted a lengthy review of New Windsor sign regulations, some of which dated to 1953.
"We started to review the New Windsor regulations and found they had to be revised and updated," said Nancy Jones, engineering technician with the SHA traffic department in Frederick. "Many had been made so long ago and things have changed through the years. To get approval from the deputy state highway administrator, wording has to be exactly right."
During the review process, the pharmacy, one of the businesses that originated the request, closed its Main Street store. That left a bank and the restaurant as the only businesses on the street.
For two weeks now, New Windsor residents have seen signs aplenty -- too many and too restrictive, they said.
At mealtimes, the 550-seat restaurant is usually full, Mr. Karolemeas said. Two-hour parking is available, but is farther away and less convenient, he said.
The town promises to be lenient with his customers, he said.
"How do I know if a car parked outside belongs to a customer?" he asked. "There is no way to check."
The mayor, who has fielded a few sign complaints, agrees with Mr. Karolemeas.
"Limited parking in front of the bank and Roop's Grocery is fine, but how can you eat a meal at a restaurant in 20 minutes?" said Mayor Gullo. "We don't have a lot of parking in New Windsor, so we want to try to get people in and out of businesses quickly, not restaurants."
Councilman Ronnie Blacksten said five signs are posted on Main Street along a stretch where "there is no shoulder to park anyway."
Sarah Baile, a Main Street resident, parks in her garage, but she said several other residents are worried about being ticketed in front of their homes.
"Twenty minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. is asinine," she said.
The mayor plans to write to the highway officials and ask for realistic changes. Ms. Jones said the revisions could happen within 60 days of a written request.
The mayor finds one advantage in the situation. The present signs will make it easier for the town's resident trooper to snag habitual parking violators.
Before the new signs, troopers had to see the violation and return two hours later to write a ticket.
Time is on the officer's side now.
"Two hours was too hard to enforce," said Mr. Blacksten. "But, the trooper can hang around for 20 minutes."