Fight it - it's NOT a violation according to the city's own guidelines as published on their webpage:
http://www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=7
* While stored on your property, all trash must now be held in a waterproof & airtight container with a lid. * Trash put out for pickup must remain in a container, but does not need to be covered. We encourage residents to remove lids before bringing trash to the curb in order to prevent loss or damage. * Trash storage containers may not exceed 50 lbs when full. * Times you may put out your trash remain the same: trash may be placed out for pickup no earlier than 4:00 p.m. on the day before trash collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. the day of trash collection.
Hell, from the brochure (http://www.somervillema.gov/CoS_Content/documents/Trash%20Brochurefinal.pdf):
Do I need to keep the barrel covered when I place it out for collection? No. We encourage you to remove the lids prior to placing your barrels out for collection.
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only applicable if it was placed at the curb for pick up:
Date: 2010-02-28 06:46 pm (UTC)http://www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=7
* While stored on your property, all trash must now be held in a waterproof & airtight container with a lid.
* Trash put out for pickup must remain in a container, but does not need to be covered. We encourage residents to remove lids before bringing trash to the curb in order to prevent loss or damage.
* Trash storage containers may not exceed 50 lbs when full.
* Times you may put out your trash remain the same: trash may be placed out for pickup no earlier than 4:00 p.m. on the day before trash collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. the day of trash collection.
Hell, from the brochure (http://www.somervillema.gov/CoS_Content/documents/Trash%20Brochurefinal.pdf):
Do I need to keep the barrel covered when I
place it out for collection?
No. We encourage you to remove the
lids prior to placing your barrels out
for collection.