``I’m speechless. More than that, I’m disappointed that our village trustees did not listen to the people and did not represent the people the best way they could,’’ said Paul Clark, whose family has been part of the downtown business world for decades. ``It was the saddest day I’ve seen in a long time.’’

His mother Joan Clark commented that she wanted the four trustees who voted for paid parking to understand how much respect they have lost from the people of Cooperstown.

``I’m not surprised by it. I’m saddened by it,’’ said Pioneer Street resident Cathe Ellsworth. ``Basically what everyone was asking for was to give it six months. If it was the right thing now, it would be the right thing in six months. I’m appalled at the lack of consideration for the constituency. Even Spitzer woke up and smelled the coffee.’’

``I think it was great,’’ said Main Street businessman Neil Weiller. ``The public rallied and had their voice heard. Unfortunately, it was not listened to.’’

Weiller said he believes there is a tremendous amount of anger out there right now among village residents. He thinks the public offered some good advice to the board, but it was ignored.

``The biggest insult was the board had made up its mind no matter what the people said,’’ Weiller added.

The system may have failed the public this time, but there is the upcoming March election, he said.

Mayor Carol Waller moved the board’s monthly meeting to the middle/ high school auditorium in anticipation of a large crowd for the public hearing regarding the paid parking plan. The hearing was a continuation from last month, in which residents’ opinions were again weighted against the parking plan. The board had also listened to public comments during two earlier informational meetings.

Village historian Hugh MacDougall was the first to comment Monday night, and said he had done some research and found the first discussion of parking meters in Cooperstown took place 60 years ago in 1947.

He said because there are such strong feelings about the issue, in all fairness it should be put off for another year.

Joe Kenney, who spent 27 years on the village police force, said he was against paid parking.

``The entire village should be voting on it, not just six or seven people,’’ he said.

Pine Boulevard resident Dr. Earle Peterson said he questioned the board’s expertise in developing a plan for paid parking. The board, he said, should look at the root cause of the problem, which he believes are the large employers who do not provide parking _ the Otesaga Hotel, Bassett Hospital and the Baseball Hall of Fame.

``In a sense, they’re getting a free ride,’’ he said.

Darla Youngs represented the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, and said they did not favor paid parking.

``It needs more study,’’ she said.

Doug Walker, who remembers tractor-driving farmers on Main Street, said he is against paid parking as it stands right now.

``I’m vehemently against pay and display machines. I’m concerned you’re going a little too far with these machines,’’ he said. ``We have a beautiful Main Street now. Let’s keep it.’’

``I feel paid parking is one more penalty for people who want to use downtown businesses,’’ said former Main Street businessman Bill Clark. ``There are options. I think we need more planning.’’

Former mayor Wendell Tripp said he didn’t have strong feeling either way, but offered a word of caution for the mayor and trustees.

``The board would be very wise not to make a hasty decision about this. Maybe it should be put off until next year,’’ he said.

Joan Clark said she had seen a lot of changes on Main Street over the years and most of them were good, but ``if this is passed tonight and it’s a mistake, it’s a mistake that will not be easy to fix.’’

Main Street merchant Jim Florczak said he believes much of the parking problem has been created by the Hall of Fame, and the board should take it up with them.

Another Main Street businessman, Jeff Foster, said he fears paid parking could be detrimental to businesses.

Ed Johnson, of Fly Creek, said he does not care for the thought of having to pay to park and also suggested some of the responsibility for parking problems should be assumed by the Otesaga, the Hall of Fame and Bassett Hospital.

``Parking is a problem. To have to pay to park is adding insult to injury,’’ said Alton Dunn.

Fred Lemister and his family have operated Main Street businesses for decades, and he worried about the proposal’s impact.

``Paid Parking is wrong-headed _ just plain wrong. What we’re talking about is a business killer,’’ he said. ``Do not crucify downtown business on the cross of paid parking.’’

John Rudy described himself as indifferent to the paid parking issue, but said there is a need for additional village revenue because of the shrinking tax base, which can be attributed, in part, to the number of tax-exempt properties. He suggested the board should look into payments in lieu of taxes from some of those not-for profits.

``It is a legitimate, honorable and reasonable approach,’’ he said.

David Pearlman said the concept of paid parking is a good one, but needs to be thought out more.

But not everyone was against paid parking.

Former village trustee Stephen Mahlum said he supports the parking law.

``I don’t think it’s a perfect law, but it’s a reasonable approach. I hope the board approves the law,’’ he said.

Chestnut Street resident John Sansevere, who sells parking on his lawn on Induction weekend, said parking should be paid.

``If there were as many signs about high taxes, this would have been a better meeting,’’ he said. ``I’m for paid parking.’’

After two hours of public comment, Mayor Carol Waller closed the hearing and asked board members if they cared to make a statement.

``It’s a plan that I think best serves the needs of the whole village,’’ said Trustee Grace Kull, reading from a prepared statement. ``It’s a viable plan of how to raise much-need money. I don’t think the machines will pollute Main Street."

Trustee and Deputy Mayor Paul Kuhn, who announced last week he does not plan seek re-election in March, said the board is responsive to the people who voted them into office, and the board has adjusted the plan a number of times in response to concerns. Visitors, he said, have to be convinced to park outside the village and ride the trolley into town, but that won’t happen if the village continues to give away the best parking.

Trustee Jeff Katz said, ``there is a lot of opinion out there beyond this room _ our job is to make the right call.’’

``I don’t object to paid parking as a whole, I object to this proposal,’’ said Trustee Milo Stewart, Jr.

Stewart said he believes there are still a lot of questions which need to be addressed. He suggested appointing a committee to look into the issue.

Trustee Eric Hage said he is not for the law, and believes that if the board decides to do anything, it should start with the parking lots, which involve less risk and investment.

``I do not want to see pay and display machines or meters on Main Street,’’ he said.

Police committee member Lynne Mebust, who helped author the parking law and accompanying resolution, said she treasures the community’s tourists and wants them to come back. Paid parking, she said, is ``an ongoing, evolving process.’’

Mayor Waller said she is not against paid parking, but believes the board needs to give it further consideration.

At first, the mayor said, she thought the idea was great, but over time has come to realize more work needs to be done before it is implemented.

``I believe we should listen to the public,’’ she said.

Kuhn made a motion to approve the local law that was seconded by Katz. The motion was adopted by a vote of four to three with Katz, Kuhn, Kull and Mebust voting in favor.