[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Ridgefield 6-5-1974 as Ch. 14 of
the 1974 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The ambulance and fire apparatus shall at all
times have the right-of-way over all other vehicles on the highways.
All vehicles shall draw to the outside of the road and stop and permit
all fire apparatus, ambulances and police cars to pass.
No vehicle shall enter any street where stop
signs are erected without coming to a complete stop.
The speed limit on all Town roads in the Town,
other than state roads, shall be 25 miles per hour.
A.
No vehicle shall make a U-turn on Main Street from
the intersection of Main Street and Bailey Avenue to the intersection
of Main Street and Prospect Street.
[Amended 4-27-1988]
Parking on Main Street shall be limited to such
period of time as may be set and reasonably posted by the Ridgefield
Parking Authority.
All motor vehicles shall park parallel to the curbs on all highways, subject to the provisions of § 340-8, except on the westerly side of Main Street from the intersection of Main Street and Catoonah Street a distance of 200 feet south. Such vehicles shall park in the marked areas.
[Amended 11-4-1985]
All-night parking on the streets, highways and
municipal parking lots of the Town is hereby forbidden. Motor vehicles
so parked may be removed on order of the Police Department, and the
owner shall be required to pay the necessary towing fee, plus fine.
No parking shall be permitted within 10 feet
of any fire hydrants or in front of any private drive or on a crosswalk
or street intersection in the Town.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park
a vehicle in any of the following designated places:
|
Name of Street
|
Side
|
Location
|
|---|---|---|
|
Bailey Avenue
|
South
|
A distance of 600 feet from the intersection
of Bailey Avenue with Main Street
|
|
Bailey Avenue
|
West
|
From the intersection of Prospect Street a distance
of 400 feet
|
|
Catoonah Street
|
North and south
|
Extending from Main Street in a westerly direction
to High Ridge Avenue
|
|
East Ridge
|
Both
|
From Prospect Street to Route 102
|
|
Governor Street
|
Both
|
Extending from Main Street to East Ridge Avenue
|
|
Governor Street
|
Both
|
From Main Street to Prospect Ridge
|
|
High Ridge Avenue
|
East
|
From the intersection of Barry Avenue with High
Ridge Avenue southerly to Byron Avenue
|
|
Main Street
|
East
|
From the intersection of Governor Street and
Main Street to the intersection of Market Street and Main Street
|
|
Main Street
|
East
|
From the south side of a private driveway at
No. 147 Main Street and extending north to the intersection of Prospect
Street
|
|
Main Street
|
East
|
Directly in front of the Town Hall, a distance
of 50 feet south from the intersection of Bailey Avenue with Main
Street
|
|
Main Street
|
West
|
From the intersection of King's Lane and Main
Street north for a distance of 300 feet and south for a distance of
150 feet
|
|
Main Street
|
West
|
To a point opposite the private driveway on
the east side of Main Street at No. 147 Main Street and extending
north to the intersection of Prospect Street
|
|
Main Street
|
West
|
Directly in front of the St. Stephen's Church,
a distance of 65 feet, being the space between white lines
|
|
Market Street
|
Both
|
From Main Street to East Ridge
|
|
Pickett's Ridge Road
|
South
|
Extending from its intersection with Connecticut
Route 7 to the Redding Town line, between May 15 and September 15
of each year
|
|
Prospect Street
|
South
|
Extending from Main Street in an easterly direction
to the railroad track located on said side of Prospect Street
|
|
Stonehenge Road
|
East
|
Northerly from the intersection of Route 7 to
the intersection of Still Road
|
|
Stonehenge Road
|
West
|
Northerly for a distance of 600 feet from the
intersection of Route 7
|
|
Stonehenge Road
|
West
|
Southerly for a distance of 165 feet from the
intersection of Still Road
|
[Added 8-30-1978; amended 11-1-2006]
[Added 9-8-1977]
A.
Definition. A no-parking zone, for the purpose of
this section, is a zone designated for no parking or for parking by
permit only.
B.
Establishment of zones. Whenever the Board of Education
shall determine that parking on school property should be either not
allowed or restricted to certain classes of employees, the Board of
Education shall establish a no-parking or restricted-parking zone
by filing a description of the no-parking or restricted-parking area
with the Town Clerk of Ridgefield. When a restricted-parking area
is established, a description of the class of persons entitled to
park in said area shall be delivered to the Town Clerk of Ridgefield.
C.
Erection of signs, markings, etc.; issuance of permits.
Upon establishment of a no-parking or restricted-parking area on school
property, the Board of Education shall cause to be erected or installed
adequate signs, markings or other devices to delineate said areas.
Permits, which shall be affixed to the vehicle, shall be issued to
those entitled to park in restricted areas.
D.
Penalty for violation; registered owner presumed operator.
No person shall park, or permit to stand, a motor vehicle in a no-parking
zone or in a restricted area unless the vehicle is of the classification
to be permitted in the restricted area and has a proper permit affixed
to the vehicle. Any person violating this subsection shall be fined
not more than $100. The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall
be presumed to be the operator of such vehicle.
E.
Towing of vehicle in violation. Any motor vehicle
found improperly parked or standing in a zone established in accordance
with this section may be towed upon directions of a police officer
to any public or private parking facility, and all expenses of such
towing, and any subsequent storage, shall be borne by the registered
owner of the vehicle.
F.
Enforcement. The Police Department of the Town of
Ridgefield is specifically empowered to carry out the provisions of
this section.
G.
Notice to appear at Police Department; payment of fines and charges to preclude prosecution under Subsection D. Whenever a vehicle is found parked or standing in violation of this section, a police officer shall serve upon the owner or operator of such vehicle, or place upon such vehicle, a notice directing the owner or operator thereof to appear at the Police Department prior to a time specified in such notice. If any person receiving said notice shall appear as directed and shall pay an amount as specified in said notice, not exceeding $25, together with any towing and storage expenses, said payment shall bar prosecution under Subsection D of this section.
[Added 4-27-1988]
A.
There is herewith established for the Town of Ridgefield
a parking violation hearing procedure, which procedure is adopted
pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-152b.
B.
The First Selectman shall appoint one or more parking
violation hearing officers, other than policemen or persons who issue
parking tickets or work in the Police Department, to conduct the hearings
authorized by this section. Appointments shall be made on/or about
January 1 for a term to expire December 31 of the same calendar year.
Appointments necessitated during the year, whether to fill vacancies,
meet demand, etc., shall also expire on December 31 of the calendar
year when made.
C.
The Town may at any time within two years from the expiration of the final period for the uncontested payment of fines, penalties, costs or fees for any alleged violation under any ordinance adopted pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-148 or §§ 14-305 to 14-308, inclusive, including but not necessarily limited to Chapter 12, Article II, Parking Authority, and §§ 340-5 through 340-10 of this chapter, and whether only arrest and/or citation is initiated by police officer, Fire Marshal or Ridgefield parking enforcement officer, send notice to the motor vehicle operator, if known, or the registered owner of the motor vehicle by first class mail at his address according to the registration records of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Such notice shall inform the operator or owner of the allegations against him and the amount of the fines, penalties, costs or fees due; that he may contest his liability before a parking violations hearing officer by delivering in person or by mail written notice within 10 days of the date thereof; that if he does not demand such a hearing, an assessment and judgment shall enter against him; and that such judgment may issue without further notice. Whenever a violation of such an ordinance occurs, proof of the registration number of the motor vehicle involved shall be prima facie evidence in all proceedings provided for in this section that the owner of such vehicle was the operator thereof, provided that the liability of a lessee under C.G.S. § 14-107 shall apply.
D.
If the person who is sent notice pursuant to Subsection C wishes to admit liability for any alleged violation, he may, without requesting a hearing, pay the full amount of the fines, penalties, costs or fees admitted to, in person or by mail, to an official designated by the Town. Such payment shall be inadmissible in any proceeding, civil or criminal, to establish the conduct of such person or other person making the payment. Any person who does not deliver or mail written demand for a hearing within 10 days of the date of the first notice provided for in Subsection C shall be deemed to have admitted liability, and the designated Town official shall certify such person's failure to respond to the hearing officer. The hearing officer shall thereupon enter and assess the fines, penalties, costs or fees provided for by the applicable ordinances and shall follow the procedures set forth in Subsection F of this section.
E.
Any person who requests a hearing shall be given written
notice of the date, time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall
be held not less than 15 days nor more than 30 days from the date
of the mailing of notice, provided that the hearing officer shall
grant upon good cause shown any reasonable request by any interested
party for postponement or continuance. An original or certified copy
of the initial notice of violation issued by a policeman or other
issuing officer shall be filed and retained by the Town, be deemed
to be a business record within the scope of C.G.S. § 52-180
and be evidence of the facts contained therein. The presence of the
policeman or issuing officer shall be required at the hearing if such
person so requests. A person wishing to contest his liability shall
appear at the hearing and may present evidence in his behalf. A designated
Town official other than the hearing officer may present evidence
on behalf of the Town. If such person fails to appear, the hearing
officer may enter an assessment by default against him upon a finding
of proper notice and liability under the applicable statutes or ordinances.
The hearing officer may accept from such person copies of police reports,
Motor Vehicle Department documents and other official documents by
mail and may determine thereby that the appearance of such person
is unnecessary. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing in the
order and form and with such methods of proof as he deems fair and
appropriate. The rules regarding the admissibility of evidence shall
not be strictly applied, but all testimony shall be given under oath
or affirmation. The hearing officer shall announce his decision at
the end of the hearing. If he determines that the person is not liable,
he shall dismiss the matter and enter his determination in writing
accordingly. If he determines that the person is liable for the violation,
he shall forthwith enter and assess the fines, penalties, costs or
fees against such person as provided by the applicable ordinances
of the Town.
F.
If such assessment is not paid on the date of its
entry, the hearing officer shall send by first class mail a notice
of the assessment to the person found liable and shall file, not less
than 30 days nor more than 12 months after such mailing, a certified
copy of the notice of assessment with the Clerk of the Superior Court
for the geographical area in which the Town is located together with
an entry fee of $8. The certified copy of the notice of assessment
shall constitute a record of assessment. Within such twelve-month
period, assessments against the same person may be accrued and filed
as one record assessment. The Clerk shall enter judgment, in the amount
of such record of assessment and court costs of $8, against such person
in favor of the Town. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the
General Statutes, the hearing officer's assessment, when so entered
as judgment, shall have the effect of a civil money judgment and a
levy of execution on such judgment may issue without further notice
to such person.
G.
A person against whom an assessment has been entered
pursuant to this section is entitled to judicial review by way of
appeal. An appeal shall be instituted within 30 days of the mailing
of notice of such assessment by filing a petition to reopen assessment
together with an entry fee in an amount equal to the entry fee for
a small claims case pursuant to C.G.S. § 52-259 in the Superior
Court for the geographical area in which the Town is located, which
shall entitle such person to a hearing in accordance with the rules
of the judges of the Superior Court.
[Added 5-23-1989; amended 7-12-1989]
A.
Pursuant to authority granted in C.G.S. §§ 51-56a
and 14-253a there is herewith designated a handicap parking ordinance
of the Town of Ridgefield.
B.
The Parking Authority is herewith designated to establish
handicap parking spaces within the Town. Said spaces shall be identified
and designated as required by C.G.S. § 14-253a(h). The Parking
Authority of the Town may implement and/or require space identification
above and beyond the statutory minimum, such as painting the surface
a background blue.
[Amended 3-17-2010]
C.
The number of handicap spaces designated by the Authority
shall be no fewer than the number required by C.G.S. § 14-253a(g)
and shall include such spaces as are specifically designated by the
Parking Authority and such spaces as are designated by the Planning
and Zoning Commission under the planning and zoning regulations of
the Town and ratified by the Parking Authority.
[Amended 3-17-2010]
D.
Any person who parks a motor vehicle in a properly designated handicapped
space without displaying identification required by C.G.S. Section
14-253a shall be subject to a fine in the amount not more than denoted
in C.G.S. Section 14-253a for each offense, plus towing and impoundment
for a third or subsequent offense as provided in C.C.S. Section 14-253a(f).
[Amended 7-23-2014]
E.
Any fines imposed and collected hereunder shall inure
to the benefit and become the property of the Town.
F.
Any portions of C.G.S. § 14-253a needed
to effectuate the terms of this section, above and beyond those already
provided for herein, are hereby incorporated by reference and adopted
herewith.
