SALEM – Mayor Dominick Pangallo announced yesterday that effective immediately any individual with a Veteran license plate may park for free at any on or off-street metered City parking space, as well as in any off-street City parking lot requiring payment via a kiosk or app-based payment within Salem. A list of eligible Veterans license plates, as issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, can be found at www.mass.gov/service-details/veteran-and-military-license-plates.
“I am very happy that the city has chosen to express its gratitude to our veterans with this gesture,” said Salem’s Veterans Agent, CSM (Ret.) Kim F. Emerling, “It all started when I heard a Purple Heart recipient had been given two tickets in pretty short time. Those tickets were quickly waived, but it started a larger conversation about how we could ensure that didn’t happen again. I join the Salem Veterans Council in expressing that any measure of gratitude is always welcome for those that have served in defense of this great country of ours. I do not know of any other community that has this sort of blanket free parking rule for veterans. This small gesture goes a long way in keeping the City of Salem a welcoming community for everyone.”
“Salem honors and respects those who have served our nation when our country has needed them,” said Mayor Pangallo, “I stand with the members of our City Council, who unanimously approved this change, in expressing our City’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service members. This new policy is one way our community can share our gratitude for all that our veterans have done for us.”
Beginning immediately, any vehicle with a Veteran license plate may park for free at any on or off-street metered City parking space, or any City-owned surface lot space requiring payment via a kiosk or using app-based payment. The policy does not include fees for parking in garages. This policy applies only to parking fees and does not invalidate any other underlying regulation governing a parking space. All non-fee related regulations – such as time limits, no parking restrictions, resident parking rules, and so forth – remain in effect. Questions about this new regulation can be directed to the Traffic and Parking Department at (978) 745-8120.
