‘My First Haircut Since the COVID-19 Pandemic Began’: Parking Ticket Appeals 

Ticketed motorists recently field the following appeals letters for adjudication by the New Canaan Parking Commission.

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“I am a college student and was so excited to have my first haircut since the covid-19 pandemic began. I arrived at my appointment early with anticipation and, as instructed, waited in my car on Burtis Avenue until my stylist was ready for me to enter her one studio salon. I was very mindful of my time and even set my watch to insure I did not go over the allotted time. Just as I was paying for my services and exiting the salon I saw the Parking Meter Attendant put the ticket on my car. I pleaded that I had not gone over the allotted time. She never got out of her car until she had written the ticket and then quickly slapped the ticket on my car and said that I could appeal the ticket. So here I am taking time to appeal the ticket because I am adamant that I did not go over the time limit. This is a small, single occupant salon on a side street in New Canaan. I was happy to give the stylist my business as my family has now her for many years. This harsh and unyielding behavior of your Parking Meter attendant is not good for New Canaan’s business community. And as a college $25 is a good deal of money on top of my services. I could see if someone took advantage and parked there for many hours however this was not the case.”

—$25 for overtime parking on Burtis Avenue, at 1:07 p.m. on July 30 (New Canaan resident)

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“This morning I parked in this spot and was given a $150.00 ticket for parking in a Handicap Zone. In the picture below you can see the pavement is sprayed in white paint which indicates regular parking. There is no usual blue lines or blue handicap symbol marked on the pavement to indicate that this is a handicap parking space. I would not have parked here if I had known this was for handicap only. I feel that the town is responsible for properly distinguishing a handicap spot from a regular one and in this case it is not properly marked. I would like to be excused from this fine for these reasons.”

—$150 for handicapped zone on Main Street at 10:20 a.m. on July 15 (New Canaan resident)

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“I am a 20+ year home owner in NC and live in another state. I returned to NC in late May and was looking forward to being able to support the local stores. It’s been a long, hard quarantine for the shop keepers. On June 17, 2020, I visited several shops on Elm Street with the sole purpose of shopping, receiving services and purchasing to go food. While in the first business, I over heard women discussing that the parking lots were free and not being metered. I had parked in a 2 hour slot on South Avenue. There were other spaces free and available around my car. I returned to my car after choosing to eat lunch on the sidewalk tables as it was a beautiful day I also feel that I was helping the food service store with some visual activity on the curb. There was a ticket on my car which surprised me greatly. While having lunch, I did see the meter maid car checking going down the street and was surprised. I am writing at this time to see if you can negate my ticket and I was truly enjoying the day in town, thinking that I was helping the merchants. As I mentioned, I am a resident in another state and don’t always keep up with the new rules and regulations. I am a tax payers to the town of New Canaan and would greatly appreciate a pardon on the ticket.”

—$25 for overtime parking on South Avenue at 12:57 p.m. on June 17 (New Canaan resident)

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“I was parked (for less than 5 minutes) on the west side of South Avenue at the corner of Elm Street. There are two signs indicating a ‘loading zone’ on that side of the street. I was parked with the front of the car BEFORE the 1st sign, with the rear of the car well clear of the pedestrian crossing on Elm. The signs clearly indicate there is no parking BETWEEN the signs. If the area I occupied is truly a loading zone, the sign would have been at the CORNER of South and Elm, not 10’ or more from the corner along South St. I ask the ticket to be nullified as I was in compliance with the sign instructions.”

—$30 for loading zone on South Avenue at 1:16 p.m. on July 21 (New Canaan resident)

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“I am a resident of Norwalk and use the Jafar Tazi Salon in New Canaan. On 7/31 I had an appointment at the salon and parked in a 2 hour spot. My appointment ran over and I was issued a ticket for $25.00. I am appealing the ticket for two reasons as stated below. 1. I thought my appointment would be under 2 hours and parked in the spot closest to the salon to minimize walking in public during the pandemic. The appointment ran over because everything is taking longer with the new protocols for operating safely during Covid. 2. I was not aware that there is free parking at nearby lots and that these rules are being enforced. I hope you see my point of view and next time I go to New Canaan I will make sure to understand the current parking regulations.”

—$25 for overtime parking on Main Street at 1:57 p.m. on July 31 (Norwalk resident)

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“When I parked my car there is a sign indicating parking was allowed for a specified time. There are no signs indicating no parking in this spot. The ‘driveway’ is really an alley an the at the time I parked had 5-7 tables with patrons eating. This was not a temporary situation due to covid but has been an outdoor eating area since baldanza’s went out of this space some time ago. As there is no signage or warnings not to park here how would I reasonably know I could not park here. I will not have time to attend a zoom meeting. Please consider canceling the ticket.”

—$30 for obstructing driveway on Elm Street at 1:29 p.m. on July 28 (Stamford resident)

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“I do not believe I was parked for over two hours. And even if I was parked for over two hours, it was a matter of minutes over two hours. I was shopping local and I bought stuff at numerous stores including more and more, wave and ate lunch at rosies. By ticketing my car for parking more than 2 Hours (which I don’t believe is true and even if it was over two hours it would have been a mere few minutes after two hours). By aggressively ticketing cars on Elm, you are in effect discouraging locals from conducting business in the town (and it is very clear the businesses need support). I hope you reconsider the issuance of this parking ticket especially when all meters in town are temporary suspended. I am out of town this week and do not have access to a printer to fill out the objection to the issuance of a parking ticket violation form, so I hope you consider email this my formal objection. The objection must be received 10 days after the alleged infraction (so today is the last day for me to submit by objection).”

—$25 for overtime parking on Elm Street at 1:21 p.m on June 27 (New Canaan resident)