Norwich makes changes to public parking oversight, enforcement
Jan. 14—NORWICH — The retirement of the longtime administrator of the public parking system in late December brought major changes to the program this month, shifting finances and enforcement to the city's Finance and Tax Collector departments.
With the retirement of 23-year veteran Parking Administrator Judith Rizzuto, and the departure of a part-time office assistant, the administration of the program will shift from the Norwich Transportation Center to the finance office on the first floor of City Hall.
The Southeast Area Transit commuter bus system now will occupy the former parking commission office on the second floor at the transportation center, which serves as a hub for SEAT buses.
City Manager John Salomone said SEAT has opened a satellite office in the building to sell tickets and passes and to assist riders.
The finance office will oversee the department's budget, which totals $190,600 this fiscal year, and city Tax Collector Karlene Deal will handle all parking violation payments. The only remaining staff is the parking enforcement officer.
Salomone and city Comptroller Josh Pothier said the transition should be smooth. The ticket enforcement computer software has been incorporated into the tax collection software. Parking ticket fine payments now should be mailed to the city Tax Office, City Hall, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360. Norwich attorney Mark Block hears appeals of parking tickets.
The city Public Works Department already handles maintenance of downtown parking lots and public parking garages and plows the top floors of garages. The six-member Public Parking Commission will now meet quarterly instead of six times per year.
Salomone, an ex-officio member of the parking commission, said he will be involved in any policy issues.
The Public Parking Commission oversees 10 downtown parking lots, parking garages on Main and Water streets, the Norwich Transportation Center and the two-level parking deck across from City Hall on Broadway. The facilities are listed on the commission's page on the city website, www.norwichct.org.
Parking enforcement includes on-street timed parking spaces. The city eliminated parking meters years ago.
