Maine town to remove downtown parking kiosks after voter opposition

Camden, Maine, will remove its downtown street parking kiosks following a nonbinding referendum in which residents opposed the program, according to a Bangor Daily News report. The Select Board voted 5-0 on Nov. 10 to remove and store the equipment while retaining paid parking at the Public Landing.

The decision affects 31 street kiosks and a demonstration unit at the Town Office. Installed in September 2025, the machines encountered immediate vandalism and became the focus of a prolonged community dispute. The board suspended the street parking program in July, and board member Susan Dorr said concerns from local businesses helped change her position on charging for parking.

Public Works employees will move the kiosks to the wastewater treatment plant for storage before colder weather arrives. Town officials also are exploring ways to recover some of the investment, including selling the equipment or returning components to supplier Butts Ticket Systems. Acting Town Manager Jodi Hanson said the company might buy back some screens and main boards.