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. We preserve all capital letters and punctuation as written by the appellant.
Creative parking on Elm. LK photo
***
“I came to the New Canaan area, to the Main Street to deliver some construction equipment. I was not sure where exactly unload the material, hence I stopped and went inside to ask for specifics where I am supposed to unload. When I came out less than a minute later I had a ticket for $100. I just stopped there to ask specific instructions, not to park my car for any period of time.”
—$100 for handicapped zone, 11:23 a.m. on Nov. 22
***
“I’m sorry for this incident. I’m appealing this one because I can’t paid. I’m struggling. I have financial issue. I would like to you to help me please to avoid this ticket. I really appreciate it for your understanding. God bless you.”
—$30 for parking partially in crosswalk, at 9:18 a.m. on Nov. 29
Botched parking job by a Massachusetts driver on Election Day. Credit: Michael Dinan
***
“Our au pair, [name], 19 years of age, as been served a parking violation … based on Obstruct Hydrant Code. We have confirmed with [the au pair] that indeed, she was parked just a couple of feet away from a fire hydrant by Saxe Middle School when she was picking up our daughter who called sick from the nurse’s office, as apparently this particular regulation is one of the very few that differ between US and Germany. Per [the au pair’s] explanation (attached), her understanding of the rule was that it would be similar to Germany where you are allowed to park in front of a fire hydrant unless otherwise indicated (with a side note that must fire hydrants are inground as per picture attached, and standing OVER them is not allowed by default). As [the au pair] is a really responsible driver with no violation history who had a simple misunderstanding of the rule, we are hopeful that you will find it possible to waive this violation a her first (and most probably her only) offense of the driving code. If we can provide any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We truly appreciate your time and understanding on this matter and will look forward to hearing from you.”
From the Au pair’s note: “You can park in front of a standing red hydrant if this is not prohibited otherwise by prohibiting parking or by means of an appropriate parking.”
—$75 for obstruct hydrant at Saxe Middle School, at 9:52 a.m. on Nov. 15
Perfectly fine parking job on Elm here—snapped this photo because of the plate. Nice! Credit: Michael Dinan
***
“I recently started working at Locali Pizza/bar/kitchen. My staff members had mentioned to me about parking in the street. I was not aware o the parking lot down the block, as I am new to New Canaan. I was working a lunch shift for about an hour. When the rush died down I went out to move the car when I received the ticket. I am aware now and will be parking in the lot from now on.”
—$20 for overtime parking on Locust Avenue
***
“I got a ticket for ‘overtime parking’ on Elm St in the town of New Canaan. I am a NJ resident and do part-time work for a business in Connecticut on the weekends. This is my first time at the NC location, so I’m not familiar with the area. I had a two-hour break, so parked on Elm ST. I had to look at the website once I got this ticket to learn most areas have a 2 hr parking limit. I did not see a sign indicating this, but even if there was, I was truly only there for 2 hours anyway due to the time restraints of my work break. If I do further work at this location, I now know the parking rules.”
***
“Thank you for considering this appeal. I was running behind for a networking meeting as I search for employment and had just turned onto Elm Street when a car was pulling out (1st spot on left). I quickly parked my car there, looked up to see if there was a meter on sign in front of me and didn’t see one. I went to my meeting that lasted much longer than expected and came out to two tickets. I apologize. I didn’t see the sign that is before the spot I parked at the time. I wouldn’t have parked there if I had. I’m not from New Canaan so wasn’t aware.”
—$20 and $40 for overtime parking and second violation, at 12:14 and 2:04 p.m. on Elm Street
***
“I couldn’t find parking place so I thought just second to go post office drop package. I didn’t know handicapped parking. [Illegible] I saw so just second came back police woman there she told me she got photos. Sorry I was lacking.”
—$100 for handicapped zone on Main Street, at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9
***
“I manage [a business] here on Grove Street. My hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. I arrived at the school at 11:05 a.m. that day. I have multiple witnesses to confirm the fact that I arrived at that time. The woman who I spoke with at the Parking Bureau at around 1 p.m. Thursday the 3rd mentioned license plate readers and cameras that have pictures of the cars when they park, so I urge you to utilize those methods to confirm my arrival time. I also saw the woman outside checking cars, and did not contest the ticket there because I did not notice she was giving tickets. I thought she was just taking down information on what cars were there because she left without putting a ticket on my windshield. It was not until I went to move my car at the appropriate time that I noticed a ticket stuck to my driver side window using wetness from the rain. Please let me know if you need any other information from me. I’ll be glad to help resolve this in any way.”
—$20 for overtime parking on Grove Street at 12:21 p.m. on Nov. 3