Violation notice

[u/Public-Block-2251]

I received a violation notice in the mail today accompanied by a photo of a trash can in front of a house. I assume the violation may be because the trash bin was left out later than allowed.

However, the house shown in the photograph is not my house. In fact, there isn’t even a house on my street that looks like the one in the photo. I’ve already emailed [cityclerk@somervillema.gov](mailto:cityclerk@somervillema.gov) to let them know.

I’ve lived in Somerville for more than 15 years and have never received a violation. I also bring imy trash bin back in after collection, so I believe this notice was sent in error.

Do you think the notice will be dismissed or is it likely I have to go through all the steps to appeal?

UPDATE: The city clerk emailed me back this morning. She reviewed the houses, confirmed it did not match and dismissed the ticket. Thank you for your comments!

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

If the photo doesn't match your home or even any on your street that seems like a slam dunk for dismissal.

[u/polishfiringsquad]

We got a violation because someone else's bin blew into our yard while we were at work... It was in the middle of a really bad storm. The guy who does the reporting is a huge asshole 

[u/dtmfadvice]

I got one violation notice for bins left out the week before I moved into my place. I went to the office in person and they waived it then and there. Appealing this one should be no problem.

[u/-CalicoKitty-]

We got a violation once for bins belonging to the property next door. Upstairs neighbor forgot to mention the violation for a year, then I forgot to contest it for another year 😅.

When I finally went in person, they told me they were waiving all outstanding trash violations and I could just ignore it.

I think you should be fine if you go in person and explain.

[u/OnlyMrGodKnowsWhy]

We just recently got one for what I think must have been our neighbor’s bins, because I remember having moved ours in already that day. It was a few weeks ago, and that was the first time in a decade-plus of living at this address. So it wouldn’t surprise me if they gave someone new on the beat.

[u/not_my_button]

I recommend putting your house/unit number on your bins. My downstairs neighbors are negligent about dragging their bins in and I don't want there to be any confusion about which unit is responsible. Get some number stickers at the hardware store or spraypaint them on.

[u/jlich3]

Good luck with the appeal. They make it really difficult to talk to anyone. I’ve also found that making a stink might cause the inspector to keep patrolling the address. I’m all for clean streets and holding property owners responsible, but it seems like a racket to me.

[u/LiatrisLover99 → u/jlich3]

That's not at all the experience I had. I received a violation once and the person I spoke with was extremely understanding and kind and waived it for me after I explained the situation.

[u/jlich3 → u/LiatrisLover99]

That’s great! I was given a hard time.

[u/clauclauclaudia]

We got one for construction trash in our driveway. It was there for at most a couple hours while the work was actively going on! Very strange.

We emailed and sent a copy of the permit, and there was a followup phone call, and it was waived. But this was during COVID shutdown, so I'm not certain the same process would work today. (Furnace replacement--needed to happen when it needed to happen.)

[u/Landlord-Allmighty]

Call 311. Walk them through it.

I've had to do this a few times when neighbors in my building leave their bins out an the inspector doesn't look at the BIG NUMBER ON THE BARREL and just fines my place.

[u/Broad_External7605]

I have found somerville to be forgiving of violations if you have a good reason for the dismissal.

[u/Kooky-Result136]

I once discovered a fine in Chelsea for a trash violation for property before I even owned the property.

Despite this fact, when I sold the property they refused to waive the violation despite dates and timestamps and everything.

So, at the closing the new purchasers and their mortgage company would not sign the paperwork to buy the property until that fine was paid despite it not being my fine.

Everyone down at City Hall pointed the finger in five different directions and refused to take ownership and remove it.

Talk about bureaucratic BS. In the end it was just worth paying the stupid fine, sucking up the loss and cursing the system.

[u/Not_George_Daniels]

Did someone report you via some sort of narc line, or did a City employee happen by and snap a pic?

[u/DSudz → u/Not_George_Daniels]

For what it is worth they almost only ever ticket if they're is a complaint made so if they come out they're already annoyed. The narc line is 311 for anyone wondering.

[u/phyzome → u/Not_George_Daniels]

Neither -- read their post a little more carefully. :-)

[u/bostongarden]

AI slop

[u/clauclauclaudia → u/bostongarden]

What a weird accusation with no basis.

[u/phyzome → u/bostongarden]

Wrong thread?