Parking Regulation Changes Possible In Darien Due To Expired Permit Usage

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Board of Selectmen is slated to consider changes to the town's parking regulations due to the continuous usage of expired commuter parking permits by residents.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting is on March 11 at 7 p.m.

In a memo to the selectmen included in the agenda packet, Town Administrator Kate Buch explained that there has been a high number of commuter parking permit holders who continue to use expired 2023 parking permits on their vehicles. She did not specify how many.

"We typically allow the use of the expired permits in January as a grace period for permit holders. The number of people using expired permits was concerning, as it is an opportunity for fraud and/or abuse of the permit," Buch said.

Permit holders were ticketed for using expired permits beginning in February, Buch added.

"I think it's important for us to make it as clear as possible that the use of an expired permit is an abuse of the permit. Therefore, I propose that we update the parking regulations to add that specific type of abuse to the parking regulations," Buch said.

The penalty for abusing a parking permit, per town regulations, would be a fine of $100 for a first violation. In the event of a second violation, the parking permit would be invalidated and revoked.

In the future during the month of January, Buch said the town will communicate with permit holders via signage that they must display the current permit.

Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting will take place at Darien Town Hall and will be broadcast via Zoom and Darien TV79.