I would like to thank the News for publishing the letter of Patti Kuczmarski regarding her bad experience with the West Windsor Parking Authority.
I had a similar experience. I too failed to make a timely parking payment because I didn’t receive the customary bill that the Parking Authority used to send me.
Like Patti I had to pay a Parking Permit Complaint for $60 and an additional $50 late fee to reinstate my Parking Permit. Further, even though I work in the city, I was told by the Parking Authority staff I had to come in person and make the payment at the West Windsor Parking Authority office. Thankfully my son was able to help me and pay it.
As a long term West Windsor resident, this is clearly a situation that should be investigated by our township officials.
1. Why did the Parking Authority change its payment notification method with such poor communication? I did get one letter, but that was all. I didn’t get any of the e-mails they claim to have sent.
Somehow it doesn’t feel right that a badly implemented communication process should reward the Parking Authority with increased revenues just because it has the total freedom to act arbitrarily.
I think we as West Windsor residents would like to let Andy Lupo, the chairman of the West Windsor Parking Authority know of our extreme dissatisfaction with his communication.
2. As a West Windsor resident, I too would like to know how many other residents were made to pay the same $110. If the communication method was as good as Andy Lupo claims it was, there should not be too many cases like mine and Patti’s. If that turns out to be true, I will quit complaining, it seems unlikely to be the case. What really bothers me most is the feeling of being ripped off by my own township. I am surprised the West Windsor Parking Authority does not realize that it serves the residents of West Windsor and not the other way around.
Finally, what does the Parking Authority do with extra revenue generated in these situations? Where can we examine the finances of the West Windsor Parking Authority? I certainly hope they cannot earn a nice bonus for generating new revenues!
Vasanth Victor
West Windsor
