RUMFORD – Starting Monday, July 26, parking violations on the town’s major business streets are expected to be enforced by a familiar face.

Mary Ann Richard, 41, a former Rumford parking enforcement officer, was hired to resume the job she left in 1993. Officer David Bean said Richard had worked for Rumford police for about two years before leaving.

Since 1993, parking enforcement fell by the wayside, despite attempts by patrolmen to try and do the work, Bean said.

“We had to chalk the tires and come back in two hours to see if any of the vehicles were still there, but if we got tied up on a call, we had to start all over again,” Bean said.

Richard is to work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking signs on the streets limit parking to two hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Some parking-violation fines have increased. Parking in a handicapped zone without a handicapped license plate or placard will now cost scofflaws $100, a $75 increase from the previous fine. Police Chief Timothy Bourassa said the fine was change by state law.

Also, drivers ticketed for exceeding the posted time limit for parking spaces are to now pay $10 instead of $4.

If fines are not paid within 10 days of the date issued, the fees double.

Additionally, now that Rumford police have devices to “boot” or lock a vehicle’s wheels, preventing it from being driven, Bourassa expects more fines to be paid than were in previous years.

“Drivers of ticketed cars will get a notice that if they’re on the road or parked, we have the boot.’ If a car is booted, it will be towed. They don’t get their car back until the fines are paid and the towing charges are paid,” Bourassa added.

That also applies to drivers found in violation of the winter parking ban, which carries a $15 fine, and cars found to be blocking snow removal, which carries a $20 fine.

Other parking fines include:

• $8 for double-parking and blocking traffic.

• $8 for parking too near a corner or crosswalk.

• $10 for occupying two parking spaces.

• $10 for parking against lawful traffic.

• $10 for obstructing a driveway.

• $10 for parking in a bus stop or loading zone.

• $10 for parking in a prohibited zone or place.

• $10 for improper parking.

• $25 for parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.