Lynn takes on shovel scofflaws

LYNN – Snow is expected Thursday but city inspectors Tuesday dumped a paper blizzard on local residents and property owners who ignore city rules requiring sidewalks to be shoveled following snowstorms.City Chief Inspector Roger Ennis said more than 100 tickets – each carrying a $50 fine – were mailed out Monday and Tuesday following sidewalk inspections across the city last Friday.?Some of these are repeat offenders who, time and time again, have property that – if it ever gets shoveled – gets shoveled by the neighbors,” Ennis said.On Hamilton Street Tuesday, a big drift covered the sidewalk near the corner of Grover Street, and snow lay mounded at the corner of Acorn and Hollingsworth streets near the Ford School.Ennis said “the priority always is school areas,” when inspectors crisscross the city looking for uncleared sidewalks. City rules give residents and owners time following snowstorms to clear walks to their full width, or 42 inches.?If you own the house, you have to get it cleared. It?s public safety for school students and we have schools in every corner of the city,” said Assistant Parking Clerk Robert Stilian.Stilian said 525 tickets were mailed out to shoveling scofflaws since the year?s start compared to 505 tickets sent out during the first several weeks of 2013.Inspectional Services employees write the tickets, but Stilian hears appeals filed by ticket recipients angry over receiving a fine.Some of the appeal hearings involve seniors who say they are physically unable to shovel, while other appeals are filed by property owners complaining they are not familiar with city shoveling rules.?One person told me, ?I don?t own a shovel,?” Stilian said.He said he tries to refer seniors complaining about tickets to agencies including Greater Lynn Senior Services in hopes agency workers can provide elderly residents with assistance. School Superintendent Catherine Latham checks sidewalk safety as part of the school closing evaluation process she uses once snow starts to fall.?This superintendent is all over the city on snow days,” said School Committee Secretary Thomas Iarrobino.Ennis said people are getting better about shoveling compared to past years, in part, because property owners who scoff at tickets and fines end up finding the fees on their property tax bills.?They can?t just ignore them,” he said.