INTENT This article proposes to use the $231,400 collected from the ferry embarkation fee last year to be used by the police department to pay officers performing traffic control in the harbor area near the Steamship Authority terminal. This is a spot where cars and trucks jam, especially during boat off-loading periods when vehicles flow towards the town core.

PRO Because no one has yet devised a better traffic plan, the officers are needed to allow various lanes of traffic in the Easy and Broad streets location to move at smooth rates.

CON This money could be used to fund a transportation hub downtown, a project discussed but still not on the drawing board for the second year in a row. Such a center would put taxis and shuttle buses in a central location and restore needed private vehicle parking spaces on core area streets.

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION Supports the appropriation to be used by police.