City offers amnesty for parking ticket late fees

The program, which will run from Dec. 15-29, includes an optional food donation component.

The city is offering another period of amnesty for late fees owed on parking tickets.

People with parking tickets issued before Dec. 1, and who owe a late penalty, will have that penalty waived if the fine is paid in person at City Hall, 420 Broadway, during the amnesty period, Dec. 15 to 29.

“This is an excellent opportunity to resolve outstanding parking tickets and start off 2018 with a clean slate,” Mayor Steve Noble said in a press release. “In addition, this is a chance for neighbors to help neighbors.”

Modeled after other communities’ “Food for Fines” initiatives, the Kingston amnesty program encouraged participants to bring in nonperishable food items to be distributed to local pantries.

The food contribution is not required as part of the amnesty program, and people not participating in the amnesty program can donate food.

Tickets must be paid in the City Comptroller’s Office on the main floor of City Hall. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, though it will be closed Dec. 22 and 25. Food donations should be brought to the same location.

Recommended food items include: canned tuna or chicken; canned fruit; beans; soups; peanut butter; jelly; olive or canola oil; canned vegetables; bottles of 100 percent juice; cereal; oatmeal; rice; pasta; canned pasta sauce; crackers; granola bars; pancake mix; nuts; dried fruit; and spices.

All food donations should be of good quality, unopened and not past their “sell by” date.