City Council proposes higher snow penalties

LYNN – For now, it’s a receding memory, but winter’s bite could be more painful next year for anyone who violates City Council-proposed hikes in parking-ban and snow-removal fines.Drivers ignoring a declared city snow emergency could see a $150 to $300 fine instead of this year’s $50 first-time fine under the proposal. And dumping snow in city streets could tag home and business owners with $150 to $300 fines.The fine hikes and other proposals are on their way to Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy for review following a 10-week review by councilors focusing on how city workers and residents responded to record snow amounts dumped on the region in February.”This is a blueprint for solving a lot of problems we have had,” Council President Daniel Cahill said.Ward 3 Councilor Darren Cyr pushed for the post-winter review soon after the last flake fell. City officials, including Public Works Commissioner Andrew Hall, gave councilors suggestions during the review meetings and analyzed their response to four successive blizzards.Some of the review’s suggestions include possibly instituting a November-to-April one-side-of-the-street parking ban, and including information on snow emergency rules along with excise tax bills mailed out to drivers.Cyr said the city needs to beef up its snow removal fleet and find ways to attract contractors who are willing to deploy heavy vehicles around the city during big snowstorms. He said $300,000 could purchase the city giant snow blowers – one stationed in West Lynn, the other based in East Lynn – for use during heavy storms.”Within two minutes, they would be able to fill up a tractor trailer-size truck,” Cyr said.Ward 2 Councilor William Trahant Jr. said city officials need to examine hourly rates paid to plow contractors and adjust them to attract heavy equipment owners.”We need the right equipment, but we aren’t being competitive and that means contractors are taking big trucks out of town,” he said.The review recommendations also include installing additional blue snow emergency warning lights across the city, with lights placed at Commercial Street and the Lynnway and on schools and fire stations.Another suggestion recommends a tip line residents can call to report plowers dumping snow in city streets.Winter’s retreat has not eliminated problems local residents face heating their homes, Lynn Economic Opportunity representative Kathleen McDonald told councilors Tuesday. LEO is accepting fuel assistance applications through May 15 at its 156 Broad St. office.Individuals and families who meet income guidelines can qualify for assistance with heating and other utility costs paid directly to the fuel company or on the client’s behalf, McDonald said. She said income eligibility limits include $62,000 for a family of four.”The weather may be improving, but the bills are still high from the winter, and, of course, hot water is still part of the year-round fuel bill,” McDonald said.