It wasn’t exactly Jesus driving the moneychangers from the temple, but borough council just made things a little easier for Methodists driving to church during business hours.
Council unanimously rejected a Bridgeville Parking Authority request to begin charging for on-street parking in front of First United Methodist Church on Station Street.
“I believe this would be the only place in town where there is metered parking in front of a church,” said councilman William Henderson. “I don’t like the way that looks and I don’t like the way that feels.”
The parking authority may have acted prematurely when it installed a payment kiosk nearby without council approval. The kiosk was covered up pending last week’s vote, and now will be removed.
Although money collected from parking fees and fines goes toward upkeep of the community’s public parking lots, the parking authority does not pay to maintain on-street parking. That is the borough’s job.
“It’s not a parking lot,” Henderson said. “I don’t think they are losing any money to maintain to particular spots.”