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Burlington didn't forget your old, unpaid parking ticket

Burlington, Vermont - January 27, 2012

The dreaded orange envelope-- a clear sign you've been caught violating a parking rule in Burlington. Illegal parking is big business for the city's enforcement team. They write an average of 250-300 tickets a day. That translates to $1.25 million in revenue each year.

But what about those who don't pay up? If you keep your outstanding parking tickets to a minimum, there aren't any consequences for failing to pay up. But rack up more than $49 and you're car could be headed to the impound lot. Although Burlington doesn't track how many cars are towed for unpaid fines, the city's contracted impound lot is usually packed.

"Well, I'll pay it tomorrow and tomorrow never comes and they just forget about it," Burlington Parking Manager John King said.

King says that's about to change. In December, the city installed new software that tracks these unpaid-- sometimes ancient-- tickets; 53,800 to be exact.

"I had a meter violation in '98 and a parking ticket apparently at the airport in the year 2000," said Frank Stanley of Monkton.

The new system found Stanley. But he says collecting on a 14-year-old violation is unreasonable.

"It's not like I've been hiding out." Stanley said. "They've had ample time, you know 13, 14 years to send me a letter and they do it now. It doesn't make sense."

The city's explanation is simple; with $1.8 million tied up in these unpaid tickets, it's time to cash in on the backlog.

"They never paid them so we're sending them a reminder that that ticket is still active," King said.

Not a fair fight says Stanley.

"I don't keep my financial records past 5, 6 years," he said. "So even if I wanted to find out if maybe I did pay it and their record keeping is a little off, I can't prove it."

Thirty days after a ticket is issued you lose your right to appeal. But the city says if someone really feels that the ticket is bogus, they can plead their case to the city attorney.

Parking officials say there are no crazy fines tacked onto the 14-year-old tickets. No matter how old the ticket is the most you'll be charged is $37 in late fees.

One of the criticisms in Burlington is that you can't pay your tickets online. This new system does have the capability to process online payments, but John King said that's not a step the city is ready to take.

Those who don't want to mail in the money can pay over the phone with a credit card.