Frequently Asked Questions

State law prohibits parking within 20 feet of an intersecting way. Because this is a state law that all motorists are expected to know, signs are only required if the distance is changed from the 20-foot minimum. For more information on state-wide parking regulations, please refer to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual. This manual is available online at the RMV website.

You will be notified via first-class mail once a decision has been made. Appeals not submitted within 21 days (Date and Time Stamp or Postmark by USPS) of the date the ticket was issued will not be entertained except in the case of extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the Hearing Officer. During the review process, you may be granted the appeal based on the documentation provided, you may be asked to provide more documentation for a further review of your appeal, your appeal may be denied in which case a detailed letter explaining why you were denied will be sent to you.  If your written appeal is denied, you may request an in-person hearing, where you or your representative will have to appear to present additional information.

It generally takes 30 to 45 days for an appeal decision to be reached, but may take longer in some cases due to appeal volume, or research into the specific issue. Once an appeal is received, the ticket is placed on "hold" status. This status means the ticket does not accrue late fees or count against the motorist in any way until the appeal decision is reached. However, if the appeal is not received within 21 days, a late fee may be applied automatically by the computer system, even though the appeal was postmarked within 21 days. If this is the case, any incorrectly applied late fees will be waived.

No. When "Warning" is written across the ticket, the officer is informing you that you have parked in a manner that is a violation of an ordinance or law, indicated by the box(es) checked on the ticket. This is just as it says, a warning that you have done something that is a violation, but there is no fine associated with the ticket. If you continue to park in the manner for which the warning was issued, you may be issued a ticket with a fine in the future. Warnings are issued at the officer's discretion, or in special situations at the direction of the Chief of Police.  Since warnings carry no monetary fine, they cannot be appealed.

The schedule of fees for resident parking permits and placards is set by the Town Council. Currently, a resident permit is $5. There is no charge for a resident permit or visitor placard for residents age 65 or older, or to residents who have been issued a valid handicapped placard or plate by the RMV. The fee for a Visitor placard for all other residents is $10.

No, there is no grace period after a permit expiration date. All permits and placards issued under the Resident Parking Program have an expiration date printed on them. Permits and placards expire on the date indicated. Resident permits and visitor placards expire on December 31 annually. The renewal period begins in October, and is advertised from mid-October through mid-January.