This isn't a parking fine, this should be a citation based on a violation of state law. See MGL Title XIV Chap 90 Section 20 which sets the fine at $50 for owning a motor vehicle without a valid inspection sticker.
By collusion of the state and the city, Traffic & Parking officers are allowed to act as agents for the Commonwealth in issuing the tickets and in return the city gets to keep some or all of the fine.
Now, I haven't seen one of these tickets, so perhaps Somerville is just issuing "friendly reminders" to get a new inspection sticker, which happen to come at a $50 price. If that were the case, then I would agree with you.
RE: *sigh*
By collusion of the state and the city, Traffic & Parking officers are allowed to act as agents for the Commonwealth in issuing the tickets and in return the city gets to keep some or all of the fine.
Now, I haven't seen one of these tickets, so perhaps Somerville is just issuing "friendly reminders" to get a new inspection sticker, which happen to come at a $50 price. If that were the case, then I would agree with you.
-Gary