What follows are excerpts from parking ticket appeals letters filed recently with the New Canaan Parking Bureau. Where available, we’ve included information on the violation for which these people were cited, in what amount, and where and when the violation occurred.
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“I received an expired meter parking ticket on August 24, 2015. There is a copy of it enclosed, as well as the ticket I purchased on that date for parking space 128 at the Playhouse Lot. Consider this as a letter of intent to appeal this citation. The meter expired at 3:05, and the ticket was issued at 3:08 p.m. I arrived just barely minutes after this. I have lived in New Canaan since 1979. My taxes are paid in full on time annually, and have been since that date. I have no overdue parking tickets. It appears this represents an overzealous attempt on the part of the Town of New Canaan to take advantage of its residents.”
—$20 for expired meter in Playhouse Lot at 3:08 p.m. on Aug. 24
Just running into the Post Office here, on Sept. 14. Credit: Michael Dinan
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“I am writing to request forgiveness of the enclosed ticket. There were so many signs on the post I was focused on the 90-minute parking between certain hours. I didn’t notice the handicap until I saw the ticket. I would never intentionally park in a handicap. My other is handicap and I know how frustrating it is when those spots are taken especially when illegal.”
—$100 for handicapped zone at 3:56 p.m. on Forest Street
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“Lived in New Canaan many years ago—been out of area for several years—unfamiliar with the “new” parking requirements. Did NOT see the tastefully indiscreet signs stating that this is a “paid” parking lot. Looking to have this waived—will be more aware next time.”
—$20
A portion of this vehicle is parked in a handicapped space, from Sept. 6 on Elm Street. Credit: Michael Dinan
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“I have recently moved to Connecticut for a new job. Tuesday (the day the tickets were given) was my first day at the office in New Canaan. I arrived early in the morning and parked my car outside the company office, mistakenly thinking it would be where employees parked. I tried to pay the meter, however, the machine kept saying that my card was invalid. I tried several times with different credit and debit cards, however it kept saying that the card was invalid. I did not have any cash on me and after trying for about 15 minutes, I had to go to the office or I would be late to work on my first day. When I came back in the evening, I received 3 violations … I made several honest attempts to pay for the meter and am very disappointed to see 3 consecutive charges with increasing fines. Please kindly forgive my violation, I have since applied for a parking permit and will not make the same mistake again.”
—Sept. 8, 9:57 a.m. $20 unpaid space in Morse Court
- 12:28 p.m. $40 second violation
- 3:16 p.m. $40 third violation
A mis-parked Toyota SUV in Morse Court, on Sept. 6. Credit: Michael Dinan
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“I used your parking machine. I put in the meter 63 number and went to the Post Office to buy stamps. I returned to the car at 10:25 and found this ticket. Why would machine record 6855, I will never know.”
—10:19 a.m. on Sept. 14, $20 for unpaid space at Morse Court
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“Good morning. My daughter received the enclosed ticket when she parked in the New Canaan lot recently as a newly minted driver there on her own for the first time, and didn’t understand the method of paying off to the side, assuming it was free for a certain period of time like the spots on Main Street, which is where I have always parked when we come. When someone told her that was not the case, she ran back and paid, but apparently for the wrong spot #. I called your office and was told by a very kind woman to explain what had occurred, send the ticket back with a note of explanation, and ask your consideration. We are not from New Canaan and apologize for the inadvertent omission. She will not make the same mistake again.”
—$20
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“I received this ticket because I had to park in the permit lot due to there were no available spaces in the pay commuter lot. You can verify this I’m sure by looking to see that it was sold out the morning of Sept. 10. I called the NC parking dept to tell them my situation and they informed me that there are permit parking day passes that I can purchase to avoid this in the future and to explain everything in a letter and mail to the parking dept for review (which I’m doing now). My dilemma is that I was ticketed $30 and did not know of any other solution other than park in the permit lot and leave a large sign on my windshield explaining why I parked there. I could not miss the train for obvious reasons and I would like the town to take this all into consideration and reduce this ticket to the price of a one-day pass of $7. P.S. My wife is usually a permit-holder but she is on hold until she is back to work after her time off. This will be in October.”
—$30
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“Without my glasses on I tapped in the wrong space #. Tapped in #38 should have been #08. Please extend courtesy to me as I work at [an Elm Street clothing shop] part time.”
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“I was with my friend having lunch in New Canaan and I realized we had to go as my limit was almost up. I asked my waiter at [an Elm Street restaurant] for our check (attached, time-stamped 2:07 p.m.). Then I ran to my car to find this ticket (attached 2:06 p.m.). I spoke to the parking officer who told me to write in and explain my circumstances that the ticket would be waived.”
—$20 for overtime parking on Elm Street
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“I paid but still got a ticket. Please correct this.”
$30 for unpaid space