SALEM — The city is offering forgiveness to some of its worst parking offenders.

Under a monthlong parking ticket amnesty program, the city is waiving the late fees levied on unpaid tickets, hoping drivers will pay up now, save a few dollars and hand the city some much-needed cash.

"We're hoping some of the folks who have significant backlogs will use it as an opportunity to pay," Mayor Kim Driscoll said. "It clears their record."

Drivers have to pay the bill in person at City Hall by March 31. They're still responsible for the actual fine and any late fees the Registry of Motor Vehicles has applied, but they'll be forgiven the city's own late-fee charge of up to $30 per ticket.

There's one more catch: Each driver must donate two nonperishable or canned food items per ticket to be given to local food pantries.

"We thought we could marry the waiver of the late fee with the ability to raise food for local food pantries as a creative way to kill two birds with one stone," Driscoll said.

Not everyone, however, is in such a forgiving mood. The proposal passed the City Council last week, 8-2, with Councilors Michael Sosnowski and Arthur Sargent opposed.

"Somebody can come in with two cans of peas and the late fees are waived?" Sosnowski said. " ... We are rewarding people for being delinquent. I can't do that. It sets a bad precedent."

City officials estimate that unpaid parking tickets and subsequent late fees add up to more than $1.25 million.

"It's eye-opening," Finance Director Richard Viscay said.

Motorists have to pay off their tickets before they can renew their driver's license, but Driscoll hopes the program will convince scofflaws to pay up now, at a time when the city is facing drastic cuts.

"I guess it's a bit of a gimmick in terms of creating revenues, but it does create opportunities for people of limited means to pay off their tickets," Driscoll said.

Driscoll said other communities have launched similar programs. She doesn't know how much revenue the program, which ends April 1, will generate, but she's optimistic.

Less than a week before it started and with little publicity, the program has already drawn some remorseful motorists seeking a parking pardon, Driscoll said.

One man arrived at City Hall a few days ago with a carton full of canned items, ready to pay off his son's tickets, she said.

"There's a stockpile of food already," Driscoll said.