The proposed amendment was approved at this week’s council meeting.
The current rules prohibit all roadside parking in town from midnight to 7:00 AM during the winter.
The amendment allows tickets to be canceled if the person ticketed was providing a service at a home as part of their job. Tickets can also be canceled if it would have been unsafe to move the vehicle elsewhere, like if the driver was impaired during those hours.
Five members of council voted in favor of the change, with only Councilor Mary Campbell voting against, saying she felt the bylaw was already lenient enough.
“I think, if a person gets a ticket, then maybe their employer can pay it,” explained Campbell. “My feeling is ‘abort mission’ here, and just go with our bylaw.”
Councillor Lee McConnel disagreed, saying he trusts Chief Administrative Officer Matthew Armstrong’s decision making when it comes to canceling tickets.
“I think Matthew has a reasonably good head on his shoulders,” he said. “It seems to sit fairly squarely, so I think we can rely on him to use his good judgment.”
The Town of Prescott’s website has more information on the winter parking restrictions.