Legislation could help communities crack down on messy trash, icy sidewalks

She said the two biggest reasons people get the tickets in Boston are for not putting their trash out properly and for not shoveling the snow and ice off sidewalks adequately.

Putting some teeth into the law would affect "very significant quality of life issues for urban residents," she said.

She said sidewalks that haven't been shoveled can be dangerous to residents, while improper disposal of trash can help control rat problems.

"When trash is put out improperly, it creates an endless food supply for rats. When trash is handled properly, you can begin to control a city's rat population," she said.

Representative Vincent Pedone, a Worcester Democrat who is the House chairman of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, said cities and towns from across the Commonwealth had been asking the Legislature for a way to collect the unpaid fines.

"We want to give the municipalities the ability to enforce their city ordinances. At the same time, we want and expect homeowners and businesses to be responsible and keep their properties up to code," he said.