Sunday parking fee begins today

Motorists driving to Main Street and the surrounding areas today may find their trip to Newark a bit more costly than on past Sundays.

The city's new Sunday parking fee took effect April 1, but will be enforced for the first time today, as the city aims to decrease its budget deficit with the fee.

Regular parking fees are in effect at city lots and parking meters from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Parking will still be free on Sunday mornings, a concession the city made to area churches whose worshipers park in city lots.

City council voted Feb. 22 to eliminate free parking on Sundays. Officials say the new fee will raise $68,000 per year for the city.