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Parking staff reports smooth permit renewals; pay‑parking machines, signage and pay‑by‑plate rollout are coming this month
Summary
Staff reported steady commuter-permit renewals and outlined steps for an August installation of pay‑parking machines, new signage, a merchant handout with QR code, Passport integration and a planned public education/grace period. Commissioners asked about handicap spaces, Elm Street reconfiguration and support for elderly users.
Parking staff told the New Canaan Parking Commission that commuter-permit renewals are proceeding well and gave a timetable for the town’s new pay‑parking rollout.
Stacy (parking staff) reported that renewal notices were sent by email and letter on July 18, and renewals are due Sept. 2. “We had about 140 people sign up for our parking alerts,” Stacy said, and added that staff had sent a follow-up email to all active permit holders. She said the office had been receiving renewals by mail and online and expected some late walk-ins on Sept. 3.
On the pay‑parking initiative, staff said the new payment machines are scheduled to arrive and be installed in August. The town is preparing concrete pads for the machines and updating street and lot signage. Staff described a merchant handout with a QR code linking to a parking map and said the Passport vendor will integrate enforcement, pay‑by‑phone and the new machines.
Stacy said there will be public‑education efforts and a grace or learning period once the machines are installed: “We’re gonna be out there, we’re gonna be teaching, we’re gonna be showing,” she said. Commissioners asked how elderly residents and others without smartphones will be supported; staff replied the machines are touchscreens with on‑screen instructions and said staff will offer in‑person help and outreach to merchants to assist customers.
Commissioners also asked about handicap parking. Staff said the town will move to pay‑by‑plate technology; as currently proposed, handicap spaces would be subject to payment because Connecticut state law does not prohibit charging for curbside handicap spaces. Staff said decisions about charging in other lots remain under discussion and that the commission would be notified of any changes.
A commissioner asked whether the Elm Street repaving would change the number of spaces; staff said it was expected to add about five spaces once reconfigured, but she offered to confirm the figure in writing. Overall, staff asked commissioners to forward any community questions to help refine communications ahead of installation.
Key practical details staff provided: renewal notices July 18; renewal deadline Sept. 2 with a $50 late fee noted in the renewal letters; about a thousand permit holders were contacted across all lots; Passport is the vendor for integration; machines expected in August; Elm Street reconfiguration could add roughly five spaces; outreach and a learning period will accompany the rollout.
