HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-29SCOTT HAR~HBARGER
December 23, 1996
Joyce A. Bmdshaw, Town Clerk
120 Main Street
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
Dear Ms. Bradshaw:
I return the amendments to the general by-laws adopted under article 3 of the warrant for
the North Andover special town meeting that first convened on October 29, 1996, with the
enclosed approval of this Office. I regret that we must return the amendments to the general by-
laws adopted unde~ article 15 of the warrant for the North Andover special town meeting that
first convened on October 29, 1996, with the enclosed approval of this Office, except that second
to sixth sentences of Section 173-5, which begin with the words "The Chief of Police" and end
with the words "such application" are deleted and disapproved.
The deleted portion of this by-law would permit the Town to issue "temporary
handicapped parking placard[s]." Issuing license plates and placards is a governmental function
reserved to the Commonwealth. G.L.c. 90, § 2, and American Motorcycle Ass'n v, Park
Commissioners of Brockton, 412 Mass. 753 (1992) (chapter 90 is "a comprehensive scheme for
the regulation of motor vehicles and the operation thereof.") Although towns are explicitly
pemfitted to make by-laws on the subject of parking and handicapped parking, the General Laws
make clear that special parking identification plates are issued by the Commonwealth, by other
states, and by Canadian provinces, and not by towns. See G.L.c. 40, § 21, clause 23.
Sincerely,
A. Abbott
Assistant Attorney General
Chief, Municipal Law Unit
(617) 727-2200 x 2096
Eno,
cc: Kopelman & Paige, 31 St. James Ave., Boston, MA 02116
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
Joyce A. Brnd.h.w, Town Clerk TOWN BUILDING
(508) 688-9501 120 l~Ai. Street
Fax (508) 688-9556 North Andovet, MA 01845
This is to certify that the following vote was taken at the
adjourned Special Town Meeting for the Town of North Andover held
October 29, 1996 at the North Andover High School Fietdhouse:
ARTICLE 15 PROPOSED TEMPORARY HANDICAPPED PARKING PERMIT
PROGRAM. Unanimously Voted for the Town to amend Chapter 173 of
the Town of North Andover Code, to insert new sections, 173-5, and
173-6, as follows:
173-5 Temporary Handicapped Parking Permit
Any motor vehicle bearing a handicapped parking placard or motor
vehicle registration plate designating the vehicle as one used by
a handicapped person shall be authorized to park in a designated
handicapped parking space. The Chief of Police, or his/her
designee, may issue a temporary handicapped parking placard to any
person upon application with a supporting medical affidavit signed
by a licensed physician, designating the applicant as being
temporarily physically handicapped. Said temporary placard shall
be issued with an expiration date not to exceed sixty (60) days
from the date of issue. The placard shall be displayed so as to
be visible through the left portion of the windshield of a private
passenger motor vehicle. Use of the temporary placard shall be
for the exclusive use of the bearer while being transported in
said vehicle. A processing fee of $5.00 shall be charged for each
such application.
173-6 Penalties.
Any person who places or parks any motor vehicle not designated
with handicapped plates or placards as provided for under Section
2 of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws, or with a
Temporary Handicapped Parking Permit as provided for in Section
173-5, above or otherwise interferes with or blocks any space
designated for handicapped parking as provided for in this Chapter
or who obstructs a curb ramp designated for use by handicapped
persons as a means of access to a street or public way, shall be
punished by a fine of $50.00.
Pursuant to G.L.c. 40, §21D and Section 1-6 of the Town of North
Andover Code, the enforcing officer for violations of Section 173-
5 shall be any police officer taking notice of such violation.
ATrue
T~'~'~-'m. C~' ':
Boston, Massachusetts
The foregoing amendments to the general by-laws adopted under article 3 of the warrant for the
North Andover special town meeting that convened on October 29, 1996, are approved.
The foregoing amendments to the general by-laws adopted under article 15 of the warrant for the
North Andover special town meeting that convened on October 29, 1996, are approved, except
that second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth sentences of Section 173-$, which begin with the words
"The Chief of Police" and end with the words "such application" are deleted and disapproved.
SCOTT HARSHBARGER
ATTORNEY GENERAL
onathan A. Abbott
Assistant Attomcy General
December 23, 1996
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
loyee A. B~el~haw, Tow~ Clerk
(508) 688-950!
Fax (508) 688-9556
TOWN Bun.flING
120 l~in Street
North Aadover, MA O1845
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
RE:
DATE:
Board of Selectmen
Joyce A. Bradshaw, Town Clerk
Attorney General Approval - Special Town Meeting October 29, 1996
December 30, 1996
The attached correspondence was received from the Office of the Attorney
General regarding approval of amendments to the general bylaws submitted for the
Special Town Meeting held October 29, 1996.
Please contact me if you have any questions or require any additional information.
SCOTT HARSHBARGER
Al'TQ~t4EY GEIERAL
(~17) 7'ZT-22QO
December 23, 1996
Joyce A. Bradshaw, Town Clerk
120 Main Street
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
Dear Ms. Bradshaw:
I return the amendments to the general by-laws adopted under article 3 of the warrant for
the North Andover special town meeting that first convened on October 29, 1996, with the
enclosed approval of this Office. I regret that we must return the amendments to the general by-
laws adopted under article 15 of the warrant for the North Andover special town meeting that
first convened on October 29, 1996, with the enclosed approval of this Office, except that second
to sixth sentences of Section 173-5, which begin with the words "The Chief of Police" and end
with the words "such application" are deleted and disapproved.
The deleted portion of this by-law would permit the Town to issue "temporary
handicapped parking placard[s]." Issuing license plates and placards is a governmental function
reserved to the Commonwealth. G.L.c. 90, § 2, and American Motorcycle Ass'n v. Park
Commissioners of Brockton, 412 Mass. 753 (1992) (chapter 90 is "a comprehensive scheme for
the regulation of motor vehicles and the operation thereof.") Although towns are explicitly
permitted to make by-laws on the subject of parking and handicapped parking, the General Laws
make clear that special parking identification plates are issued by the Commonwealth, by other
states, and by Canadian provinces, and not by towns. See G.L.c. 40, § 21, clause 23.
Sincerely,
A'A~Aobmbey General
Chief, Municipal Law Unit
(617) 727-2200 x 2096
Enc.
CC:
Kopelman & Paige, 31 St. James Ave., Boston, MA 02116
Boston, Massachusetts
The foregoing amendments to the general by-laws adopted under article 3 of the warrant for the
North Andover special tom meeting that convened on October 29, 1996, are approved.
The foregoing amendments to the general by-laws adopted under article 15 of the warrant for the
North Andover special town meeting that convened on October 29, 1996, are approved, except
that second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth sentences of Section 173-5, which begin with the words
"The Chief of Police" and end with the words "such application' are deleted and disapproved.
SCOTT HARSHBARGER
ATTORNEY GENERAL
onathan A. Abbott
Assistant Attorney General
December 23, 1996
TOWN OF NORTH ^NDOVER
$oyce A. Bradshaw, Town Clerk
(508) 688-9501
Fax (508) 688-9556
TOWN BUILDING
120 l~i,~ $1reei
North Andov~r, MA 01~4~
This is to certify that the following vote was taken at the adjourned Special
T~wn Meeting for the Town of North Andover held November 29, 1996 at the
North Andover High School Fieldhouse:
ARTICLE3 AMI~ND CHAPTER 2, SECTION 59-2 OF THE GENERAL
BYLAWS - CHANGE IN QUORUM REQUIREMENT.
Voted by Majority Vote that the Town change Section 59-2 of the General
Bylaws of the Town of North Andover to read:
The quorum required to convene an Annual or Special Town Meeting shall be
one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the registered voters of the Town. Once convened an
Annual or Special Town Meeting may continue to transact business at that session and at
adjourned sessions of the same meeting in the absence of a quorum by at least a two
thirds vote of those present and voting: provided however that a lesser number may
adjourn such meeting from time to time.
It is further provided that no adjourned or subsequent session may be convened
absent the presence of .75% of the registered voters.
ATI~
A~ue Cc_~y
TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER
$oyce A. Bma..~hnw, Town Clerk TOWN BUILDING
(508) 688-9501 120 Mni- Street
lax (508) 688-9556 No~h Andovet, MA 01845
This is to certify that the following vote was taken at the
adjourned Special Town Meeting for the Town of North Andover held
October 29, 1996 at the North A/ldover High School Fieldhouse:
ARTICLE 15 PROPOSED TEMPORARY HANDICAPPED PARKING PERMIT
PROGRAM. Unanimously Voted for the Town to amend Chapter 173 of
the Town of North Andover Code, to insert new sections, 173-5, and
173-6, as follows:
173-5 Temporary Handicapped Parking Permit
Any motor vehicle bearing a handicapped parking placard or motor
vehicle registration plate designating the vehicle as one used by
a handicapped person shall be authorized to park in a designated
handicapped parking space. The Chief of Police, or his/her
designee, may issue a temporary handicapped parking placard to any
person upon application with a supporting medical affidavit signed
by a licensed physician, designating the applicant as being
temporarily physically handicapped. Said temporary placard shall
be issued with an expiration date not to exceed sixty (60) days
from the date of issue. The placard shall be displayed so as to
be visible through the left portion of the windshield of a private
passenger motor vehicle. Use of the temporary placard shall be
for the exclusive use of the bearer while being transported in
said vehicle. A processing fee of $5.00 shall be charged for each
such application.
§ 173-6 Penalties.
Any person who places or parks any motor vehicle not designated
with handicapped plates or placards as provided for under Section
2 of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws, or with a
Temporary Handicapped Parking Permit as provided for in Section
173-5, above or otherwise interferes with or blocks any space
designated for handicapped parking as provided for in this Chapter
or who obstructs a curb ramp designated for use by handicapped
persons as a means of access to a street or public way, shall be
punished by a fine of $50.00.
Pursuant to G.L.c. 40, §21D and Section 1-6 of the Town of North
Andover Code, the enforcing officer for violations of Section 173-
5 shall be any police officer taking notice of such violation.
ATme Copy