DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would estimate for at least a year now I have observed a maroon Honda CRV with handicap license plates parked in the handicap parking spot on lower Lisbon Street almost in front of Androscoggin Bank.

While the other parking spots have time limits, say an hour or two, because this particular handicap spot does not have a time limit the individual that owns the Honda CRV has been leaving the vehicle in this spot essentially around the clock. (I’m guessing they reside nearby.)

This obviously limits use of this particular space for anyone else with a handicap, and appears to be an abuse of the privilege of parking in this space. Would it be possible for the city to impose a time limit for this handicap space to assure that it is shared equally with other users? Thank you. — No Name via email

ANSWER: As Sun Spots has noted in recent columns, those with legitimate handicapped tags get a break on many parking rules, including time limits, which are doubled. But there still are limits for handicapped spots.

To investigate, Sun Spots emailed with Sgt. David Chick, inspector of police for Lewiston. He said that he didn’t think parking enforcement would routinely chalk vehicles with handicapped status in recognition of the extended time allotted them but would check to make sure their placard or tags are valid.

(For those who never park downtown, to keep track of who has been parking in a time-limited spot for how long, parking enforcement personnel mark vehicle tires with chalk. If they come back on their next round and the vehicle is still in the same spot, that means the vehicle has exceeded the time limit and a ticket can be issued.)

Chick checked with parking enforcement and wrote:

“Parking enforcement is very much aware of this vehicle (as well as another behaving similarly in the same geographic area downtown). People do complain because these vehicles monopolize the public spots.

“Apparently, there is a sort of cat-and-mouse game which the owners of these vehicles seem to play, where they are very much aware of, and suspected of watching the parking enforcement personnel in order to move to an adjacent space or just drive around the block.

“Word being relayed on the street is that the vehicle being complained about here is suspected of belonging to a nearby resident who prefers the use of that space on the street rather than avail themselves of an off-street space, which is provided for them with their rent. That person is alleged to sit by the window and watch out for the presence of parking enforcement, and adjusts only accordingly.

“Most days, the vehicle will be driven away just as the two-hour time limitation approaches being reached, and will return a short time later, after the parking enforcement has completed the rounds of that area; then the whole process begins again with the next personnel shift.

“These are practices which we have been faced with in the downtown for decades; only here it is affecting a certain select group of persons who register having disability, who have limited designated spaces set up more conveniently for their use.”

So the city is aware of the problem and is doing what it can. Unfortunately, if someone is really determined to break the rules, it can be extraordinarily difficult to stop them. Perhaps a little unpleasant publicity, albeit anonymous, will shame them into better behavior.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Robin Dow seniors group that meets at the Gayton Post at 31 Washington Street North in Auburn is in need of a piano to accompany our patriotic singing. We’d prefer a spinet size but will consider whatever you have. If anyone is willing to donate or sell for a small fee, please contact me. — Irving, 207-782-3661, irving.grant42@gmail.com

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