The Parking Clerk is an appointee of the Mayor, with the approval of the City Council. The duties of the parking clerk are outlined in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, section 20A½ - 20E. The Parking Clerk maintains and records all parking violations, applies payments and late fees, reports overdue violations to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor vehicles, issues registry releases, hears appeals and holds hearings.
Recipients of parking violations in Gardner are required to submit payment or request a hearing within twenty-one (21) days to appeal the violation. Appeals should be submitted in writing on a standard form provided by the Parking Department. If neither occurs within that time a late fee of $5.00 is imposed and an attempt is made to notify the vehicle owner.
If the violation is still not paid or dismissed by the Parking Clerk, a second notice is sent and the violation is submitted to the Registry of Motor Vehicles to be "marked." Once the violation has been marked, the owner may not renew his or her driver's license or vehicle registration until the original fine, late fees and a $20.00 Registry of Motor Vehicles fee has been paid (by cash or money order only) and a release issued.
You may appeal a violation in person or by mail. We request that the appeal be put in writing on a standard form available from the parking office. The appeal will be reviewed and a response will be made in writing. If you are not satisfied with the response, a formal hearing may be requested. At a formal hearing, only new information not provided in the original appeal will be considered. The Parking Clerk will render a decision within fourteen (14) days in writing.
If you do not agree with the Parking Clerk's decision, you may file a formal appeal with the District Court. There is a $100 filing fee to appeal at the District Court level.
Paying a Parking Violation
Parking Violations can be paid in person by cash, check or money orders; or by mail by check or money order. Please note the violation number in the "memo" section of your check.
Office Hours: 8AM to 2PM, Monday - Thursday
See Public Parking in Gardner's Downtown Area
Civil Enforcement Information
The Civil Enforcement Office maintains violation information for dog licenses, dog violations, various civil violations and "pay-as-you-throw" violations. The office is also responsible for collection of these penalties, fees and fines.
Paying a Civil Enforcement Violation
Dog fines, zoning ordinance violation fines, health code violation fines and pay-as-you throw fines can be paid in person by cash, check or money orders; or by mail by check or money order. Please note the violation number in the "memo" section of your check.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get information on outstanding violations?
For parking violations, information is protected under the Driver Privacy Protection Act. In order to obtain violation information you must have a valid driver's license and be the owner of the vehicle receiving the violation. Information cannot be given by telephone, since the identity of the caller cannot be verified.
For other violations, you will need the correct name, address and type of violation.
What if I can't renew my license or registration because of an unpaid parking violation?
You must pay all of your outstanding violations with the City of Gardner, by cash or money order, in order to clear a mark at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Upon receipt of acceptable payment, the Parking Clerk will issue a release.
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