During a tense meeting last week that included menacing language from an appointed official, the head of New Canaan’s Parking Bureau defended the town’s enforcement officers against accusations that they’re aggressive and sneaky about issuing tickets.
Not only do enforcement officers ask motorists to move prior to ticketing them, but many tickets are voided by the Parking Bureau before they ever come before the appointed body that oversees the town department, Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg said Thursday night.
“We give leniency,” Miltenberg said during the Parking Commission’s regular meeting, held in Town Hall.
“If somebody is sitting in the car and in a no parking zone, we ask them to move. Let me tell you what the staff and I am encountering by these people out on they street: They don’t want to move. Excuse me for being like this, but we are taking such crap from these people that you don’t see the other side and I have to defend the department. We are not out there—we’re short-staffed to begin with and we are not out there watching people and sneaking up on people. We are out there doing our job, and we are lenient.”
The comments came in response to Parking Commission Chairman Keith Richey, who said enforcement in downtown New Canaan has become “draconian” and transformed the business district into “a police state,” with officers “running around” to ticket motorists who violate parking rules.
“The surveillance has gotten, I think, too intense,” Richey said by way of introducing the topic of enforcement. “I think we need to have more leniency. I think you are doing great job, Stacy, but you are almost doing too good a job. Kevin’s feeling and mine too, is there is no reason to enforce these parking rules before 10 in the morning, there is no parking shortage in downtown New Canaan before 10 in the morning.”
He referred to First Selectman Kevin Moyinhan, who was not in attendance at the meeting.
When Miltenberg began to say, “The signs says 9 [a.m.], it’s always been 9,” Richey interjected, saying, “Let me finish.”
“I think after 4 o’clock we should stop enforcing the rules, because there is no parking problem after 4 o’clock,” he continued. “Parking rules just aren’t there to be some billboard out there. It’s to be where there is a problem that we are trying to not have congestion, and safe roads. There is no congestion, and there is plenty of parking before 10 and there is parking after 4. It used to be solved when we had a smaller staff and they weren’t running these people down. Also, I think there ought to be more leniency.”
Commissioner Peter Ogilvie said he “respectfully disagreed” with Richey’s assessment, saying “We have a serious parking problem on Main and Elm.”
Commissioner Chris Hering told Richey he was being unfair to Miltenberg and the Parking Bureau.
“If we are the Parking Commission, she is doing her job,” Hering said. “If it is 30 minutes, she is enforcing 30 minutes. If you want to set up a policy where there is a 5-minute leniency and you want Kevin and all of us to sign off on it, then make a motion for that. But I you don’t think you—you can’t be vague about it to her.”
Hering asked whether the Parking Bureau is issuing more tickets now than it has in the past.
Miltenberg said no, and noted that during budget hearings the Town Council questioned her about a decline in revenue from tickets. She added that due to people out sick and with injuries, the Bureau itself is not at a full complement.
“And the revenue is still down, Keith, because we are so lenient,” she said.
Hering said “it would be helpful” to get the hard data for the next Parking Commission meeting.
“It could be just an internal perception in town that people are getting and these things build on each other,” Hering said.
Richey introduced the subject by saying he had spoken earlier in the day to Moynihan “and we also are hearing a lot from the Chamber of Commerce” about parking enforcement.
The public agenda for the meeting noted a “recent [April 4] meeting organized by [Chamber Executive Director] Tucker Murphy with about 20 local property owners with the goal of having a frank discussion about local issues” that included parking. The agenda also said that the discussion noted a “hostile environment with parking enforcement.” Murphy was not in attendance at the Parking Commission meeting.
Richey said, “I am hearing from every merchant in town that they are getting customers” who are upset about parking enforcement.
Miltenberg responded, “What would you like me to do? We go out every two hours. That is what we are supposed to do.”
She noted that enforcement officers do not start chalking tires until 9 a.m.—the parking time limit in downtown New Canaan last January was extended from 90 minutes to two hours—so that ticketing doesn’t start before 11 a.m.
When Richey said that the Commission during that very meeting had heard appeals of tickets issued at 8:33 a.m. and 10:02 a.m., Miltenberg noted that those specific tickets were for parking in areas that serve as loading zones from 7 to 11 a.m.
“I’m sorry,” Miltenberg said twice, disagreeing with Richey’s assessment.
Richey responded, “Chill.” He added, “So what that he is in a loading zone at 8:33 in the morning?”
Richey said, “People are coming here to appeal these tickets for being five or 10 minutes late. And geez, I mean it’s like a police state and we have become so draconian that it used to be when someone would show to make an appeal we would believe them and grant some leniency. Now I see people with their heads shaking, it is incredible we are so draconian. I mean, why can’t when someone comes from out their way here to appeal a ticket for being four minutes overtime, that we give them a little slack. Is that really so hard? The town doesn’t need the money.”
Richey added, “They are appealing tickets because they are offended by them. That should be a sign.”
Miltenberg said, “We are not out there to gain revenue. We have never been out there and that is not why we give tickets.”
Ogilvie asked for more specificity from Richey on an across-the-board grace period. “Two minutes overtime slack? Or four minutes or 10 minutes?”
Richey, a retired attorney, said that he often parks in Morse Court and added, “Whenever I am around, I see the Parking Department people and they are running around and they are giving—I see them all the time. I do. It’s just gotten to be too much, Stacy. You have to pull it back.”
To Richey’s suggestion that the Parking Bureau should not enforce the parking rules at specific times, Miltenberg said, “So because there is no shortage of parking, we should disregard the rules?”
At one point, when Richey interrupted Miltenberg during her response to a point he was raising, Commissioner Pam Crum told him he should “hear what she has to say.”
Miltenberg began to say of Richey, “It’s like he’s accusing us of making up—“
Richey interjected, “You are doing your job but you’re doing it too well.”
Miltenberg responded, “If people are parking illegally, aren’t we supposed to be out there trying to stop them from parking illegally. We ask them to move. You know what they are doing now? They are telling us no.”
Richey told her, “You are focusing on that one thing.”
The disagreement about enforcement appeared to carry over for Richey, into the next agenda item taken up by the Commission. It involved “how the Parking Bureau could help” with a problem regarding the no-parking area in front of The Playhouse, according to the agenda.
Miltenberg, in an apparent attempt to lighten up the meeting, noted that now the Parking Bureau was being asked for its help in enforcement.
“Not sure you want to go there Keith,” she said with a laugh.
Glowering down from the dais, Richey responded, “Careful, Stacy. I’m serious.”
When Miltenberg said, “I’m teasing,” Richey continued to glare at her and said, “I’m not teasing. I’m serious. Be careful.”
What Richey was implying by those words was unclear. Miltenberg after a moment moved on, addressing the agenda item at hand. A recording of that portion of the meeting is embedded at the top of this article.
The number 1 fear for residents in town; is getting a parking ticket. If you have lunch with friends, have a meeting in town, work out and grab coffee afterwards, these activities always have the stress of the time limits and the ticket anxiety. It’s not fun for people. I think many would agree that activities in town are cut short because you see the white Jeep coming and panic strikes. And the tickets are $30!! I’m sure people would love to see parking enforcement to go away all together. And I’m sure many would agree, our local parking officers are the most miserable people working in our town.
“The number 1 fear for residents in town” This letter is satire right?
In case it’s not I want to say that I find the parking officers always friendly helpful and quick with a wave. They have a tough job and deserve our respect and not our ridicule.
I’ve been a resident for over 20 years and must say Richey’s behavior was outrageous! I walk to town and in town several days per week. Cars are constantly parked in loading zones. People are always in such a hurry they cannot be bothered to go to the machines to pay for parking. People are always parked over the lines taking up 2 spaces. And they park in crosswalks. The excuses sound like more “I am entitled” excuses. “I do charity work” or “I was only over 2 minutes or 5 or 10.” The law is the law. Where do you draw the line? Blurring the lines just creates more confusion. Enforce our laws. Or change them.
Rather than ticketing 5 minutes past the 2-hour allotment, as there really should be a grace period of 15/20 minutes, before a ticket is issued, I would like to see more policing of people illegally parking in handicapped spots, spots clearly marked as No Parking and, people parked well over lines, therefore taking up multiple spots. Those are people showing entitlement and blatant disregard for the law that are most deserving of tickets.
In a work setting, when one performs their job “too well” they are typically lauded for it and often offered a promotion. Stacy is lovely and I have witnessed leniency first hand. I’m shocked at the exchange that took place. Wow.
Monica,
You might be more shocked that the exchange had nothing to do with parking enforcement, it had to do with the No Parking areas on Elm – see my other comments for a fuller explanation.
I would be the first to agree that Stacy is terrific and the Parking Department does a great job in a difficult situation. Still, in my view there are tickets that have been issued that should not have been and appeals of those tickets that should have been granted that have not been by the Parking Commission.
I was not at the meeting so cannot comment on what happened. What I can comment on is how helpful and professional Stacy has been to me at times in the past. She and the parking enforcers do not have an easy job in this town but I have found them all to be fair and pleasant.
Wow, the combative tone of Chairman Richey may work for an HBO series, but it will never work for the town of New Canaan.
Our Commission needs a Chairperson who can navigate and resolve issues, not one that belittles those working for the Commission.
Given a willingness to listen and work together, the issue at the recent meeting seemed pretty straightforward forward and resolvable.
1. The parking folks in this town are super friendly and reasonable. If I had to spend my day writing people tickets for breaking rules they don’t believe should apply to them, I would need at least one and a half martinis by noon. We should treat them with respect. Full stop.
2. When you get a ticket, pay your ticket. I’ve gotten two in the five years I’ve lived here. I’m honestly not sure how people manage to get so many. Doesn’t everyone have a watch? A phone? Working eyes? I paid my tickets. I’m out $55, but I’m pleased to report that I have survived, and possibly even thrived despite such a harrowing setback.
3. Is it like the Oscars for entitlement this week? Between this and the Y story, I’m dumbfounded.
Stacy is typical of the hard working people here for our town, who do their best to do the job and follow the guidelines they are given. If we all, as a town, want to change the rules of when we start or stop enforcement, or give specific guidelines for grace time etc. then so be it. We don’t go into other jurisdictions with the expectation that the posted rules really are just suggestions and we should not expect that here. There are many ways to determine what we all feel is the best policy, but until we do, we should stand with our town workers not against them.
Keith Richey has been on the Parking Commission and its chairman longer than almost anyone can remember. I am beginning to think a new chairman is in order. Keith, you seem to shoot from the hip when you say there are no parking problems before 9 or after 4. I believe you are wrong on that. speaking in a condescending manner to a staff member in a public meeting is unnecessary and offensive to many townspeople. Further, in the past year it is was disconcerting to hear you, as chairman, speak about a desire not to abide by the state safety law that prohibits parking within 25 feet of crosswalks. You gave the impression that you feel New Canaan is above the law, and now you talk publicly about ignoring local rules that your commission imposed. Term limits for commission chairman may be advisable.
Greg, I totally agree with you. We need term limits, but not just for chairmen, it should be all commissioners! And, let’s start with P&Z!
Greg,
1. Serving on the Parking Commission has been thankless job – I have thought of giving it up for years and my wife thinks I am nuts to continue but I keep getting reappointed by every new term of BoS and keep getting elected as Chairman unanimously by the other members of the PC. Thanks for your gratitude. 2. In fact, for years the Parking Department has generally not provided enforcement before 9 or after 4 – that has been done by the Police. 3. You weren’t at the meeting so your comment is based on Michael’s obvious hatchet job – really? 4. The 25 foot rule is not followed in Greenwich and many of the towns in Connecticut. You are fully aware Chairman of the Police Commission, the CoC, and many others do not share your interpretation of the state rule. I have no problem with term limits. it would make my day – are you offering to take the job?
I have lived in New Canaan for 40 years; I have gotten three parking tickets, two of which I paid because I over stayed my time. The third one I appealed and the ticket was voided. There are parking rules and the town employees follow the rules. If you want to change the rules, then change them, don’t blame the employees. They are doing their job, and over the years I have found the parking attendants to be friendly and helpful – all of them.
Betty Branch
Michael,
What a hatchet job – if I weren’t the subject of your attempted character assassination I would congratulate you. I hope everyone actually listens to the recording you provided. It should be obvious to anyone who listens that Stacy was not chagrined or down about the previous discussion. After all, I was saying that her team was doing a great job, but perhaps too great a job. We had just moved from ticket appeals and enforcement to a discussion of where the Police stood regarding the No Parking areas on Elm on either side of the crosswalk perpendicular to the Bank of America. I had asked Stacy to be prepared to discuss this and by that I meant for her to discuss the matter with the Police. When I asked Stacy to proceed, she make a joke and it was clear (to me anyway) that Stacy had not discussed the issue with the Police, probably due to misunderstanding the request. I pinned Stacy down on this just before or just after the recorded exchange but that was artfully not included. When Stacy was making a joke about this, my comment about “Be Careful” was meant to say be care or I will disclose your error. Perhaps I was the only one who understood what I meant but I really don’t see how saying “Be Careful” and “I’m serious” should merit an entire article. The Chamber’s input about the Parking Department creating a hostile environment was on the Agenda so it is hard for me to see how anyone could have been blindsided by the discussion. Also, for years I have asked the other members of the Parking Commission to engage in a more lenient and thoughtful approach to appeals of the tickets. I was very clear that I don’t want to change the rules but there are tickets that have been issued that, in my view, should not have been and appeals that should have been granted, but were denied. The fact that we discussed these issues at a Parking Commission meeting should not surprise anyone.
Keith Richey
Many in NC know Kieth for many years and acknowledge his contributions in voluntary work with charitable organizations. He has proven to be a leader, thoughtful and highly intelligent. The current issue should not be considered with regard to Kieth’s qualifications, but on the merits of the case in point. All too often Departments in government over- enforce or are slack in performing responsibilities –much of this stems from insecurity or protecting fiefdoms. In this case we should look at the facts and reach a balance that is best for NC given the public interest, business, demographics, and sense of fairness. This type of review is healthy and perhaps overdue with other Departments, projects and Boards.