Commission Forgives $75 Ticket Issued to Man for Parking in Front of Fire Hydrant

Town officials this month voided a $75 ticket that had been issued to a delivery driver who parked in front of a fire hydrant.

The Parking Commission voted 4-0 during its Jan. 3 meeting to void the ticket issued to Claudio Pila of Danbury.

During an appeal hearing held at Town Hall and via videoconference, Pila told the appointed body that he was dropping off some boxes at That Personal Touch on Main Street when he was issued the ticket at 10:18 a.m. on Nov. 28 (a Tuesday).

“I’ve never been in New Canaan, it was my first time driving down there,” Pila said. “And I drove around and there was no parking spot and since That Personal Touch is right on the corner, I left my vehicle parked with my emergency lights showing and I even left my trunk open so that way I was just going to take out my boxes, two heavy boxes that were special ordered for some customers in New Canaan, some engraving products, and so it took me about two minutes to take a box out and bring it to the entrance of the building. And when I came out there was a ticket. And I know I made a violation but I think I was—like I said, I put my emergency lights on and even the trunk was open so that way they probably could see I was just going in and out. And like I said, it was about only two minutes it took me to finish with the whole process.”

Commissioners Nancy Bemis, Kevin Karl, Drew Magratten and Marley Thackray voted to void the ticket.

During deliberations, the commissioners said that some parking rules appear to be punishing those who come to New Canaan to deliver items rather than customers or local workers.

“We are basically punishing people—not intentionally—but people who can least afford it,” Magratten said.

Bemis said the Commission’s past practice has been to void a ticket issued to a delivery person if it’s not a recurring problem, as opposed to violations such as parking illegally in a disabled space, which the Commission upholds in almost all situations.

During the hearing, commissioners asked why Pila’s trunk appeared to be closed in the photo that the ticket-writing officer took (don’t know), whether Pila works for a subcontractor for the local engraved items business (yes), how long he’s worked there (1.5 years) and where the closest loading zone is (South Avenue).

Magratten said that a “no parking” sign near where Pila parked appeared to be set in a tree.

“Why is that sign in the middle of the tree?” he said. “This time it’s winter and next time it could be summer and there would be foliage.”

Thackray asked whether the Commission had followed up on an earlier plan to provide a flier for business owners to hand out to delivery people, letting them know that double-parking is acceptable as long as it’s very fast, blinkers are on and there’s a note inside the windshield. 

Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg noted that sometimes people say they’re going to pull in front of a store to run in and drop off or pick up an item, but then stay for 20 minutes to get food or do something else.

“It’s a fine line and it’s difficult,” she said. “But fire hydrants are fire hydrants, they can’t be blocked.”

Pila said he would not overstay in that way.

“I would not be taking a break or having a pizza or breakfast because I’m working at that time,” he said, adding: “I’m a responsible person and just doing my job.”