The Norwalk Parking Authority is giving visitors a break on parking meters.

The authority has been feeding expired meters for 20 free minutes and leaving behind courtesy cards and a faux "ticket" in the amount of zero dollars.

Officials say the courtesy card program started after local businesses started worrying that aggressive ticketing would keep customers away from the city's downtown.

Parking Director Kathryn Hebert says she hopes the courtesy cards leave a good taste in visitors' mouths.

The back of the courtesy cards has a reminder that people can top off their meter using the ParkMobile app.

The courtesy card program isn't in place every day, so officials say feeding a meter is still the best way to avoid getting a ticket.