Rick Franco is stepping down from his seat on the Parking Commission effective Nov. 10 after 23 years of volunteer service. As he reflected on his tenure and on parking in general, it became evident that many of his personal philosophies came to life through his work on the board.
The co-owner of Francos Wine Merchants on Elm Street, Franco told the Advertiser the day he announced his resignation from the commission, “It was helpful as a merchant to have a daily observation of the street. It is important to have someone who sees it.”
“I am not a big shot,” Franco said, “but a steward applying thoughts. At some point there is a time to slip aside for new thoughts” from others.
“I don’t think we should have term limits. We should have etiquette and demeanor to say, ‘It’s time for me to go.’”
In the Parking Commission’s role of deciding whether to void a parking ticket or reject an appeal, Franco said he exercised some of his philosophies of life.
“In life, occasionally we get tickets — parking tickets or ‘life’ tickets,” he said. “Things might be a little fuzzy one way or another, but generally we pay the tickets and move along.”
Franco said that during his first meeting on the commission in 1993 he made it clear, “You cannot let someone appeal parking in a Handicap parking space. That one you cannot do.”
After all, the New Canaan native said, “We’re supposed to have good manners.”
Parking Commission Chairman Keith Richey issued a statement to the Advertiser about Franco stepping down: “His resignation represents a great loss to the town of New Canaan. Rick has done yeoman service and provided wise counsel throughout his many terms. In particular, I will greatly miss having his insights and steadying hand at the Parking Commission meetings.”
First Selectman Rob Mallozzi III told the Advertiser, “Rick Franco is one of the best friends New Canaan has. He has been dedicated to parking and voicing an opinion for the merchants in town. He is an unbelievably dedicated person.”
The Parking Commission is responsible for recommend rules, fees and procedures regarding Town off-street parking facilities; recommend acquisition of land by purchase or lease for off-street parking; and make recommendations concerning these matters. The Parking Commission also serves as the Board of Appeals for those wishing to appeal parking ticket fines.
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Franco having a little fun after announcing he will be leaving the Parking Commission after 23 years. — Greg Reilly
Try harder; be fair and kind
In general, Franco said, “Parking needs movement; a cohesive, functioning flow of comers and goers.”
Regarding parking on Elm Street, “I don’t think it’s that bad. On daily basis, peak usage is at 8:30 in the morning, lunchtime for 90 minutes to two hours, and Nov. 10 to Dec. 25. Other than that it is extremely accessible.”
“I don’t think we’re supposed to make a problem and then solve it,” he said.
Regarding business employees parking on downtown streets? “I certainly wish they would not do it. I believe employers should be monetarily assisting (workers to park in the Center School lot). An over-exuberant catering to the workers is not correct.”
“In life you gotta find the middle ground,” he said, speaking like a sage.
“Some just don’t want to walk two-and-a-half or three blocks. In life I think we are to try a little harder.”
“We must be fair, and we must be kind,” Franco said.
When listening to appeals of parking tickets, he said, “Sometimes if there was a strong objection I would listen and understand. All stories different.”
If there was a serious personal problem that led a parker to violate a rule, Franco said he would be comfortable excusing the fine, but he would tell the person, “We don’t want to see you again.”
If a person is shopping or dining and they are 10 minutes over the time limit, “nobody cares,” said the retiring commissioner. “But if you’re 60 or 90 minutes over, kindly reconsider.”
Advice for town leaders
Franco offered a couple of tidbits of advice for Town officials — one a general aspect, another a specific suggestion.
The Town has plans to build a two-level parking facility where the dirt Locust Avenue parking lot is now, just a little down the hill from Main Street. “I look at it,” Franco said. “It’s full all the time.”
With an eye on building the new parking facility, Franco said, “If we want a place for Town Hall employees to park, this we need to do.”
His general advice to Town leaders is particularly pertinent around election time. “It is not unusual for people to have spoken, and that to have caused a little discomfort,” he said. “It causes you to squirm a bit, but we all need to move along in that direction even if not happy with it.”
And one last bit if advice Franco offers to all in the community regarding their parking habits.
“A simple kindness we can all keep in thought is that, when parking in the diagonals on Elm, to pull right to the curb so as not to obstruct the traffic lane.”
Clik here to view.
Rick Franco on the Elm Street sidewalk in front of Francos Wine Merchants. — Greg Reilly photo
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