The Parking Commission during its most recent meeting voided a $25 ticket that had been issued to a Stamford woman who overstayed a two-hour time limit on Burtis Avenue.
Sandra Francese told members of the Commission during their Feb. 1 meeting that the morning of Dec. 9 (a Friday) was only her second visit to The Vault salon on Burtis.
This is where it happened.
“My first time was at night, so part of parking where I did, I either didn’t realize that there were parking restrictions at the time, or maybe when I came at night the restrictions were a little bit different,” Francese said during her appeal hearing, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.
“I actually grew up in New York, live in Stamford now and only been to New Canaan a handful of times. But really love the town. Very beautiful. So during my visit to The Vault, I parked directly in front of the salon. I didn’t realize—it was only my second time there, my first time was not over two hours—so I didn’t realize that I would be at the salon for more than two hours. And when I did arrive, they mentioned the parking regulations to me, although also not their responsibility. So it’s not their responsibility that I wasn’t aware of that. But I did have a couple of phone calls with [Parking Manager] Stacy [Miltenberg] since I did get the ticket. She’s been fantastic and has educated me now to the areas where I can park, and the time limitations in each of the locations and that I can use an app to add more hours if I park in certain locations. So now I’m aware of that and I’m going for the first time since this ticket, on Friday, so I will not be parked on the street for more than two hours on Friday at my next visit. I do take full responsibility. Clearly I was in the wrong. I know that now. So I’m kind of asking for a reprieve for this one time. It won’t’ happen again, now that I’m aware.”
Commission Chair Jennifer Donovan and members Kevin Karl and Drew Magratten voted 3-0 to void. Commissioners Nancy Bemis and Marley Thackray were absent.
The ticket had been issued at 11:24 a.m.
Karl noted that motorists could benefit from additional ‘Two-Hour Parking’ sign in front of the area where Francese had parked.
Miltenberg responded that the Commission could make that request of the Department of Public Works though “I know that we try to keep the town as small-townish as possible.”
“So we try not to put up too many signs and so the amount of signs on the street cover what is supposed to be there,” Miltenberg said. “I think that Sandra just rushing and going to her appointment may not have seen it. It’s a mistake we all make in trying to get some place.”
Donovan said during deliberations, “This is my feeling about it. It’s overtime parking. I think you’ve educated her after her first error. I think she’ll probably never do it again. And she is basically spending money in New Canaan which we want. So I’m in favor of overturning it.”
Magratten said, “I have no opinion but if you need a vote, I’ll say ‘void.’ ”