WINDSOR, CT — Several parking violations that currently carry a $15 fine in Windsor could soon cost drivers $50, $100 or even $200.
The Town Council introduced a proposed overhaul of the town's parking penalties Monday and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 19.
The largest increase would apply to commercial vehicles left unattended on residential streets for more than one hour. The fine would rise from $15 to $150 when paid within seven days and from $30 to $200 after that deadline, according to the proposed ordinance included in the council's meeting packet.
Windsor's current parking rules define a commercial vehicle as one used to transport merchandise, freight or employees while conducting the registered owner's business.
Questions about the commercial-vehicle restriction were raised last year by members of the Wilson/Deerfield Advisory Committee. Town staff compared Windsor's rules with those in 14 other municipalities and found fines ranging from $25 to $250, with a median of $50.
The town's current $15 fine was adopted in 1999 and applies broadly to most violations covered by the parking ordinance. A ticket increases to $30 if it is not paid within seven days.
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Under the proposal, parking longer than the posted time limit would carry a $25 fine if paid within seven days and a $50 fine afterward.
Violating a temporary parking ban would cost $50 initially and $100 after seven days. The same penalties would apply to violations of Windsor's winter parking rules.
Those rules prohibit parking on town streets between 1 and 6 a.m. from Nov. 15 through April 15. They also prohibit street parking during a snow or ice storm that has lasted at least an hour or when a vehicle interferes with plowing and traffic.
The fine for illegally using an accessible parking space would increase from $95 to $100. Because the ordinance adds a penalty equal to the original fine after seven days, an unpaid ticket would grow to $200.
A separate change to the town's fee schedule would double fire-lane parking fines. Those tickets would increase from $50 to $100 during the first seven days and from $100 to $200 afterward.
The council has not adopted the broader parking ordinance. The public hearing is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Oct. 19 at Town Hall, 275 Broad St. Council members could vote on the proposal after hearing from residents.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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