Snow parking problems begin to pile up

NORTH CANAAN — It’s that time of the year. Three things to remember in the transition from winter to spring are snow parking, brush pickup and new transfer station stickers.It’s too soon to count out more snow and, by now, those who disregard parking restrictions are testing the patience of town officials. During a recent storm, a number of cars were left in the Canaan Union Station parking lot for days. Plow crews had no choice but to pile snow up behind them. Cars were also left parked on the streets, in some instances.First Selectman Douglas Humes issued a reminder at the March 4 board meeting that the only parking legally available during snowstorms is in the municipal lot off Railroad Street. The restrictions remain in effect for as long as it takes the highway crew to plow and clear snowbanks as needed.“We’re going to start towing,” Humes said, a few days before another storm was about to hit.Towing comes with a $65 ticket, plus any costs related to towing and vehicle storage.He noted, too, that the resident state trooper will be checking registrations on vehicles. It is not unusual to see out-of-state license plates. Vehicles must be registered in Connecticut within 60 days of relocating here.Meanwhile, residents have been trying to replace transfer station stickers that expire at the end of March. New stickers were not ordered until last week, awaiting a decision on changing from windshield to bumper stickers, like the ones used at the Salisbury/Sharon transfer station.The selectmen said the suggestion came from transfer station workers who said the bumper stickers are more visible. Board members determined they need more time to look into sticker options, and will consider the change for next year.Stickers will be available soon in the selectmen’s office at Town Hall. They are $25 for residents, $10 for those 62 and older. Residents will need to supply a car registration; new residents a utility bill or rent receipt; part-time residents a tax bill.Selectman Charlie Perotti said he has had complaints from people who want to buy stickers during lunch hour and cannot get into Town Hall. Selectmen’s Secretary Dorothy Paviol said she is in the office over lunchtime and that people do regularly come in between noon and 1 p.m. While other offices are generally closed then, the building is not locked.Humes noted that residents may also mail a check, and a sticker will be mailed to them.Brush pickup is expected to begin at the end of the month. It will continue through April, and possibly May, depending on road work plans. Reasonably sized piles of small-diameter brush should be placed curbside, butt end out.