The parking lot immediately to the south of Aqua En Vino on South Main Street in Wayland, next to the Henika District Library, will start to charge motorists $2.50 an hour for parking Tuesday.

Aqua En Vino owner Arny Rodriguez, who owns the parking lot, posted on Facebook today, “The City of Wayland decided not to assist in maintaining the privately-owned downtown parking lots. Starting Aug.1, the lot next to us will be a pay-to-park lot, using HONK, a software-based payment system.

“You can scan the QR code, tap to pay with a card already pre-loaded in a digital wallet, or use any other electronic payment method (HONK accepts them all). Or you can download the 4.5-star HONK app that millions of drivers use to search, find, pay for, and extend parking.

“All Acqua In Vino customers will receive credit for one hour parking with purchase”

City Manager Josh Eggleston indicated the city does not charge anyone for parking and the decision was Rodriguez’s alone.

The businessman approached the city last year about paying for maintenance of private parking lots downtown, as it had done for a long time. Eggleston and council members replied that the city was getting out of the business of helping to fund snow plowing and other services in an effort to save tax dollars.

The parking lot adjacent to Full Potential Chiropractic has signs posted that any motorist who uses the lot will have their vehicles towed at their own expense.