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New Canaan panel upholds two parking tickets; commission approves 2026 meeting schedule
Summary
The New Canaan Parking Commission denied two appeals on safety and overtime grounds and approved a calendar of meetings for 2026; staff will email appellants and provide reporting on the parking initiative rollout.
The New Canaan Parking Commission voted to uphold two parking violations at its December meeting, rejecting appeals from Vanessa Brown and one appellant identified during the meeting as "Mister Nguyen." The commission also approved a proposed meeting schedule for 2026.
Vanessa Brown told the panel she was about 15 minutes late moving her car from a two-hour Main Street space while opening her downtown store and asked for leniency, saying she is a single parent who makes less than $20 an hour. "I was trying to, you know, break any rule or anything," Brown said. Commissioners questioned whether Brown had obtained a free employee permit for a municipal lot; staff said she did not.
Commissioners discussed that Brown had parked in a legal space and that an overtime ticket is different from more serious violations, but noted her prior record. One commissioner summarized mitigating factors but, after learning Brown had outstanding prior tickets and previously been booted, said those facts changed their view. A vote to uphold Brown's ticket was recorded as "4 to uphold."
The second appellant acknowledged parking at a fire hydrant and asked for a warning after stopping briefly to pick up a pastry. The panel reviewed a photograph and confirmed the vehicle was adjacent to a fire hydrant and cross-hatched markings, which commissioners described as a clear safety violation. "That's a serious safety issue," one commissioner said. The commission voted to uphold that ticket.
The meeting also included a procedural vote: the commission approved a proposed set of 2026 meeting dates (the first Wednesday of each month, with July as an exception) after a motion and second and a unanimous vote to adopt the schedule.
Staff said they will notify appellants of the decisions by email and outline any next steps. Stacy, the parking manager, said she would email appellants with the commission's decision and instructions on Friday following the meeting.
Votes at a glance - Motion to file November minutes: approved (motion, second, unanimous). - Appeal: Vanessa Brown — outcome: upheld (commission noted "4 to uphold"). - Appeal: hydrant violation (Mister Nguyen) — outcome: upheld (all in favor). - 2026 meeting schedule — outcome: approved (motion, second, unanimous).
The commission adjourned after announcing the next regular meeting for 2026-01-07 at 7:00 p.m.
