TROY – Veterans will still have to feed city parking meters and buy permits for the city’s garages and lots after the City Council rejected a proposal Thursday night to give them free parking.

The ordinance pressed by City Council President Carmella Mantello was rejected in a 5-2 vote as council members questioned why no financial impact study had been made and said it would lead to creating numerous groups exempt from parking fees.

The law would have allocated 74 parking spaces – one on each of 67 blocks where there will be a parking kiosk – and one in each of the seven parking garages or lots, according to administration officials.

“This is something we can’t afford. We’re setting a precedent,” said Councilwoman Coleen Murtagh Paratore.

“Why don’t we give senior citizens parking? Why don’t we give the McGrath family parking,” Councilman Mark McGrath said.

Mantello was joined by Councilman Jim Gully in voting for the proposal. Gully said he voted yes, but needed to see the financial impact statement before the City Council’s Aug. 2 meeting. Deputy City Comptroller Andrew Piotrowski said his staff didn’t have enough time to assess the costs.

The city charges $8 for a day of parking where it collects fees. If each of the 74 spots was filled for eight hours for 200 days in which there are parking fees, the annual cost would top out at $118,400. This does not include administrative costs.

“The purpose of this legislation is to honor our veterans every day for their service to our city and country. This legislation will have a minimal cost to the city and be far outweighed by the benefits provided to veterans,” Mantello said in her memo supporting the initiative.

The proposed ordinance would have extended the free parking to veterans, their widows and widowers. The proposal did not limit the parking to city residents who were veterans.

“This is a great idea, but not a great application,” Councilman T.J. Kennedy said.

Mantello proposed the free parking around Memorial Day. Her proposal called for Mayor Patrick Madden’s administration to begin the parking program on Veterans Day.

Mantello argued that the city reserves parking on some streets for restaurants, car-sharing and colleges.

“We’re saying yes to Russell Sage. Russell Sage has dedicated parking. But we’re saying no to our veterans,” Mantello said.

Council members pointed out that parking was for college vehicles only.

Voting against the measure were Paratore, McGrath, Kennedy, Councilman Anasha Cummings and Councilman David Bissember.