City ticketing on dead-end streets- others' experiences?

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

We live on one of the many dead-end streets here in Somerville. For the past untold number of years, the very end of the street has essentially accommodated three parking spots: one against each curb, and one in the middle. I have seen this set-up on other dead-end streets I've visited or come across.

Recently we received a ticket for parking in that middle space that was marked as "double parking- 100% blocking." Yes, as if it were a through street and not parked in front of a fence and earthwork berm that couldn't be driven through if you tried.
Since that time, about a week ago, we noticed other cars in the neighborhood also getting tickets while parked there, at least for the first few days after we did. We've spread the word as best we can with our neighbors, and intend to appeal the ticket through the in-person process (knowing that written appeals are automatically rejected no matter how wrongly the ticket was written).

I'm meeting with our alderman about this soon, and wanted to see if others in the community have also had an uptick in either this exact issue or similar parking enforcement oddities? Again, this spot has been used in this way by all of us on the street for years, if not decades, so this is either a new enforcement tactic based on a strict "interpretation" of the law, or a few new officers who, I dunno, don't realize what a dead-end street is.

Thanks for sharing; I don't intend to use any input in a formal way as part of the appeal, but it would be interesting to know whether it's just our street or others in the city that have seen this.

Comments

[mwsound.livejournal.com]

My issue was that a number of contractors were issued temporary NO PARKING signs on the same street for the same time. This made it so there weren't any spaces available for those of us who live in the neighborhood to park. I wasn't expecting my alderman to do anything directly about it but more see if there's a better system to schedule NO PARKING postings. Seems there should be some coordination either by the contractors or the Parking office. He wasn't any help other than telling me to call 311, which I don't know what that would do as it is really a policy issue I was asking about.

I agree both of you...this seems like a perfect issue for the legislative body of our city (and even if it truly isn't, the alderman are here to help the citizens!) Too bad the people we elect and paid to do so, don't agree.

[courtney (from livejournal.com)]

When I served as Alderman, there were a few parking issues that I dealt with. I don't know why your Alderman would tell you that it's out of their hands - it certainly isn't. Requesting that the Traffic and Parking Department come up with a solution to this issue sounds like a fine Board order to me. I would highly encourage you to contact your Aldermen at Large as they aren't afraid to tackle parking issues. Similarly to keithn, I'm also very interested in knowing what Ward you live in.

[mwsound.livejournal.com]

I'm one of your former residents! Ward 5. I did reach out to an Alderman at Large too...Never heard back.

[courtney (from livejournal.com)]

If there's anything I can do to help, please feel free to get in touch with me.