OLD TOWN, Maine — Parking tickets are a pain, but what if you could settle your debt with pasta?
In the words of Marlon Brando, Old Town police are making residents "an offer they can’t refuse."
With nearly 100 unpaid parking tickets from 2023, Old Town police are allowing locals to pay their outstanding parking tickets with a $10 pasta donation.
Old Town Deputy Chief Lee Miller said the average parking ticket costs $20, and after 30 days it doubles. If a ticket goes unpaid for six months, it is then sent to collections. He said the $10 pasta donation would wipe out the fine whether it is $20 or $40.
"We are not looking to make revenue off of parking tickets, we are just looking for compliance," Miller said. "If someone wants to give food instead, we are just as happy to have that happen."
For the entire month of February, the police department is accepting pasta donations to help benefit the local school district and surrounding food pantries.
Miller said for the past six years they have been accepting nonperishables in exchange for parking ticket fees, but this February's city-wide pasta drive seemed like the perfect motivation for locals to give back.
So, if you are one of those unlucky ticket holders—no, you won't get a tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory—but you will be able to drop off your $10 pasta donation at the Old Town Police Department for a clean slate. Or you can head over to City Hall and pay your ticket in full.
I don't know about you, but I'd sooner grab a box of bowtie pasta and a jar of Ragu from the cupboard rather than pay an outstanding parking ticket.
Anyone else wishing to donate to the drive can drop off their pasta at the police department, city hall, public library, or the Old Town YMCA.
In addition to those four drop-off locations, Miller said there will be a collection day on Feb. 17 at the Old Town Hannaford from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where anyone can drop off donations or go inside the store and purchase a box of pasta to donate.
Pasta drive wish list
(Per the Old Town Police Department's Facebook page)
- Rice and pasta microwaveable meals
- Pasta of all varieties
- Macaroni and cheese
- Spaghetti sauce
- Rice
All food collected will go directly to the Caring Community Cupboard, the Holy Family Parish, Penobscot Nation, and the Old Town school district.
