This request should be performed by the mayor’s office. The realization of "oh shit, we've taken in half a million dollars in fines on a law that does not exist" needs to come from the top. When the task is done the mayor will see that the even/odd parking rule is unenforceable. He will recognize that there is no ordinance. He will recognize that there was never a vote taken on this matter. There was a vote on other matters when this was brought up, but the even odd rule was never written as an ordinance and never voted on. Posting a policy on a website is one thing, issuing citations based on a policy that has never been written as an ordinance, and never voted into law… is another. The city has enforced a rule for year and years – illegitimately fining people under a policy, but not under an ordinance. Policy is not law, policy has no enforceability.
1) We are looking for documentation on appeals on the even/odd tickets issued and the outcome of those appeals. How many tickets were issued per year for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. WHY: What you will find is in every case an appeal has been filed, the fines are dropped.
2) Seeking documentation on a vote on an ordinance specific to the even odd rule. Who voted on this ordinance? What were they actually voting on? Was the vote on an actual even odd ordinance, or was the vote on other matters?
3) Seeking documentation on all the total fines issued, the total fines paid, for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
4) Seeking the written documentation that legitimizes and gives the basis for the even/odd parking rule. Seeking an ordinance that documents the rule, and any actions that can be taken for violators. A link to the website that talks about the even odd policy is not an ordinance.
If no ordinance can be found that legitimizes the even odd rule (posting a rule on a website and updating it every year is not legitimate) - the city must refund the $500,000+ it has collected in fines plus interest to each and every fine payer.
We ask that when the mayor has his “oh shit” moment, that he issue a press release on the policy no longer being enforced, because it is unenforceable, with an apology, and a method for refunds plus interest.
Good afternoon Mr. Wood,
Below, please find a link to the documents responsive to your request. The files marked by year show all odd/even tickets issued, the fine, how much was paid, and how much was abated. The files marked by month and year show the results of all parking enforcement hearings. Please note, while parking enforcement records are maintained according to the Fiscal Year calendar, the files have been named according to their calendar year and month. The hearing files for calendar year January and February 2022 have not yet been created. The names of individuals who were ticketed have been redacted; a redaction table has been provided.
Also included are the Selectman Minutes from October 30, 2003 (please see page 5), Selectman Minutes from December 16, 2004 (please see pages 8 and 9), and the Policy on Winter Parking Restrictions, issued October 30, 2003 and amended December 16, 2004. Additionally, a presentation given to the Board of Selectman on March 23, 2010 has been included. Please see page 6 for the text of motions voted on at that meeting. The Selectman minutes from that meeting have also been included. Please see page 10 for the votes on those motions.
I have searched the Board of Selectman minutes from March 23, 2010 until December 31, 2017, and have not located any further town-wide action on the odd/even parking regulation taken since March 23, 2010 (some meetings dealt with exceptions to the regulation or clarification where needed on particular streets). I have also confirmed that the Traffic Commission has not made any significant city-wide changes since Framingham became a city. As a result, the records provided should serve to fulfill your request. Thank you.
Request Date
2022-03-15
Agency Tracking
2022-0431
Acquisition Notes
This record was automatically imported from https://www.townforms.com/FOIADirect-FraminghamMACitizens/