How to write a good appeal for a parking ticket in CT?

Ok soo about a month and a half ago, I received a parking ticket at my college. Apparently, I had parked in a construction zone, but I am SO sure that there was no indication of that when I parked. There was construction going on across from where I parked, but the spot that I picked was just a regular, empty parkin. Of course, I don't want to pay the 46 bucks I was charged with, so does anyone have some good tips on how to write a proper appeal letter? I know this is a bit of a minor issue, as well as a tad delayed...but I do not want to pay for something so silly as this. At one point, I actually completely forgot about the ticket I received, hence the reason why I'm asking this a month later...which means the fee is probably even more now...not good! (I am, of course, to blame for that). That's mainly why I'm worried about this. Anyway, if I had known it was a construction zone, I obviously would not have parked there. Simple as that. So basically, I want to show the police that I have some say in this issue. Now all I have to do is get it down on paper in words, and hopefully they'll be merciful and dismiss it! If there are any good tips you guys have for this, that'd be awesome. I appreciate it! Thank you.