Mayor wants to penalize trash scofflaws

Mayor Thomas M. Menino has filed a home rule petition asking for the ability to penalize those who do not pay their trash fines. The proposal, if approved by the City Council and Legislature, would allow the city to place liens on the property of owners who have not paid bills on so-called green ticket violations for illegal dumping, site cleanliness, and improper storage of trash. The city would also be able to penalize violators by restricting their access to city services such as building permits and residential parking stickers. In addition, as a way to embarrass current scofflaws into paying bills, Menino said that by March 1 the city will begin posting the top violators on the city's website.

Lawyers seeking more than $100 million in damages from the government on behalf of four men who spent decades in prison for a 1965 gangland murder in Chelsea they didn't commit finished presenting evidence yesterday after 20 days of trial before a federal judge. Justice Department lawyers said they would rest today after filing numerous documents, without calling any live witnesses. Peter Limone spent 33 years in prison, and Joseph Salvati served 30 years for the slaying of Edward Deegan before secret FBI documents surfaced five years ago, indicating they had been framed. Two others, Henry Tameleo and Louis Greco, died in prison before they were exonerated. Final arguments are slated for Feb. 27 before US District Judge Nancy Gertner.

English High School in Boston was evacuated yesterday morning after a gas leak. No students or staff were injured, officials said. Boston police officers and firefighters responded, the source of the leak was fixed, and the school will reopen today on the normal schedule, officials said.

Following her first meeting overseeing the City Council, President Maureen E. Feeney filed a proposal yesterday that would put term limits on her new post. The term limit for council president would be two consecutive one-year terms. Councilor at Large Michael F. Flaherty, whom Feeney defeated earlier this month, held the position for five consecutive terms. Feeney's proposal, which restructures the rules governing the council, would also consolidate the work of three committees and combine their oversight with existing committees. It would also create a permanent committee on Youth Violent Crime Prevention, which previously had been a special committee. The rule changes, which need seven votes to pass, are expected to be dceided next week.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to spend at least $500,000 to establish a waste management inventory system to handle chemicals and hazardous materials at its New England facilities, the US Environmental Protection Agency said yesterday. The VA will also pay a $49,748 fine as part of the settlement with the EPA, which stems from a violation at a medical center in White River Junction, Vt. The subject of the violation was potentially explosive ether and picric acid found stored in clinical laboratory and pathology areas during a 2003 inspection. The EPA's New England region employs 9,000 people at eight medical centers and 37 outpatient clinics. (AP)

MEDFIELD

A construction worker was killed yesterday when scaffolding collapsed and he fell at least 10 feet, authorities said. Raymond Fenoff, 38, of Douglas was working as a roofer on a new house on Old Village Square when the scaffolding beneath him appeared to have failed, officials said. Fenoff was working for his family's company. A spokesman for Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating said that an initial probe found no signs of foul play. Fenoff's body was taken to the state medical examiner's office in Boston for an autopsy. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

DEDHAM

State Representative Robert K. Coughlin, 37, a Dedham Democrat, announced yesterday that he intends to accept Governor Deval Patrick's anticipated job offer of director of business development. A spokeswoman for the governor declined to comment. Coughlin joined the Legislature four years ago after defeating four-term incumbent Maryanne Lewis of Dedham, a member of the leadership team of former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran.