New Canaan Parking Commission upholds town-hall parking ticket after appeal

At its July 9 meeting, the New Canaan Parking Commission voted 2–0, with one recusal, to uphold a parking violation issued at 2:41 p.m. to a resident who parked in the town-hall lot and walked across Main Street.

The decision followed testimony from the ticketed resident, identified in hearing records as Ms. Guo, and a statement from the enforcement officer, Mike, who said video and his observation showed the driver park at the corner of the lot, walk across the street to a restaurant, remain away from the car about 20–30 minutes, return with two bags, get into the vehicle and close the door before noticing the citation on the windshield.

The matter was the meeting’s primary substantive item and prompted an extended discussion about the commission’s enforcement approach. “We have cameras all around,” Mike told the commission while describing how staff use CCTV to monitor activity in the lot. Parking manager Stacy explained the town had asked enforcement to monitor the town-hall lot more closely because non–town-hall patrons were using it, and she said enforcement staff have written many tickets in recent months.

Members weighed several facts: the citation was issued at 2:41 p.m.; Mike said the underlying incident occurred June 2; Ms. Guo told the commission she had come to town hall to check vehicle tax deadlines and that a friend across the street handed her some flowers, prompting a short conversation before she returned to town hall. Commissioners noted Ms. Guo did go inside the building and spoke with staff but disagreed about whether her initial intent had been to conduct town-hall business or to use the lot for other errands.

Commissioners discussed past practice: the commission has sometimes voided tickets when a driver genuinely entered town hall for a brief errand, especially near closing time. Commissioners also debated practical fixes, including clearer signage and a possible sign-in procedure at town-hall entrances. Stacy said the appeal form already includes a contact line but the staff will ensure email is captured consistently and will update the form if needed.

After discussion, with one commissioner recused because of a personal relationship with the appellant, the commission voted to uphold the citation. Stacy said staff would notify Ms. Guo of the outcome by email and the commission asked staff to review signage and the appeals form to reduce future ambiguity.