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.
A poor parking job on Main Street on Dec. 15, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan
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“When I put money into the meter the coins immediately came into the return and would not give me more time, therefore when I came back late and had a ticket I feel as though this was unfair since I attempted to pay for more time.”
—$20 for unpaid space at Morse Court, 10:16 a.m. on Dec. 16
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“I work at [an Elm Street retail shop]. I do the right thing every day, get there early enough to park in long term parking. I work and park here every day. I had eye surgery last week and still can’t see good, even with glasses. I put #116 instead of #118 as I misread it. Please forgive this ticket. I don’t earn enough at $10 per hour to afford this ticket especially this time of the year. I apologize and understand you only forgive 1x per year and last time I was just scheduled for eye surgery and couldn’t see. This is no joke. I am struggling and need your help and consideration to forgive this ticket again. We are closing 12/28 and I will be out of a job.”
—$20 for unpaid space at Playhouse Lot, 10:25 a.m. on Dec. 11
Parking on Elm Street on Dec. 31, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan
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“I parked in a 1-hour parking space and was given a ticket saying it was a loading zone. I was very careful to read the sign and the one in front of that said ‘no parking from here to corner’—I was sure that I parked in a legal spot.”
—$30 for loading zone on South Avenue, 12:13 p.m. on Dec. 10
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“Had disability card hanging from window. This is the 2nd ticket I have received. Paid both. I thought it was a law not to ticket a disabled parking vehicle from parking.”
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“It was my first time shopping in your lovely village of New Canaan. When I got out of the car there were not signs either in front of my car or to the R or L of where my car was parked. When I returned to my car I was shocked to see the violation ticket. Because there were no signs informing me of the 90-minute parking, I do not think I should be fined.”
—$20 for overtime parking on Elm Street
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“I am working as a salesperson at a local NC store. I park in the Locust Street lot daily. On the day the ticket was issued I put money in the meter for 10-5 pm. I was shocked that I got a ticket at 11:37. Didn’t make sense. Next day I retraced my steps and realized that I paid for spot 152 instead of where I parked at 151. This is my mistake and I have enclosed $20 for the parking violation. If there is some way of checking the machine for that day, you will see that I did pay for the entire day with my multiple quarters.”
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“I am writing to you to contest the ticket I got today, 11/19, while parked on Elm Street in 90 min parking. The ticket says ‘Overtime parking – moved same side.’ Please see below my routine for the day’s activities and time spent on Elm Street. I am a psychiatrist and I work [locally]. 10:30 am to 12 noon—seeing patients. 12:10 to 12:23 parked in front of Papyrus briefly to run into Le Pain Quotidien for a lunch sandwich and Dunkin Donuts for a coffee (I have credit card statements that will confirm that). 12:30 to 1:05 pm – at [work] for meetings with other psychiatrists/physicians, who can confirm this. 1:15- Back on elm Street for errants (bank, pick up at Whitney Shop) and parked close to Togs on Elm Street. 2:15 returned to car and had a ticket time stamped 14:02. This ticket was completely unjust, as one should be allowed to return to town more than once a day and not suffer consequences.”