Reason Behind the 48-hour Parking Rule

[wonkywheels.livejournal.com]

There has been some talk in this community about the 48-hour parking rule. Can someone explain the rationale behind this law? I have a car, but I take the "T" or ride my bike to work, so it doesn't make sense to me to have to move my car for no reason. I understand the need to move my car for street-sweeping, but this 48-hour thing doesn't seem to have a basis.

Comments

Re: It does give a little satisfaction...

[ron_newman]

I've never seen such a sticker. What does it look like and where is it normally placed?

Re: It does give a little satisfaction...

[snow-how.livejournal.com]

I've never seen one either! And apparently it's the student's school that issues the sticker, not the state (note that it has nothing to do with campus parking, it's a state thing; I only know about it because a former housemate of mine had worked for the RMV and mentioned it a few times).

The form is the last one listed on this page (http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/registration.htm), and while it makes reference there to a $50 fine for non-compliance, the form itself says the penalty is higher:

"This completed form must be filed with the police department in the city or town where the school is located. The Police Department must provide a copy to the school, the local assessor, and the RMV. The school will issue the required decal, which must be affixed to the uppermost center portion of the windshield. The penalty for a nonresident's failure to comply as required is up to $200.00."

So on reading that, I'm wondering why everything revolves around the city the school's in, and not the city where the student is residing? What does the Medford assessor, for instance, care (or even know) about a Tufts student who resides and parks in Somerville?

Re: It does give a little satisfaction...

[ron_newman]

I'm guessing that a copy goes to the assessor so that an annual excise tax bill can be sent to the vehicle owner.