Chief’s Corner

By Chief Steven J. Wojnar

Dudley Police Department

            A recent article on Disability plates and placards resulted in a question.  I was asked for the number of plates or placards one person can have.  If a person has more than one vehicle, can they be issued two placards or can they have plates on one vehicle and a placard in the other?
            Disability placards and plates are described in 540CMR17.00.  Disability plates are issued to a vehicle owned by a qualified individual.  Placards are special permits issued by the Registry.  As a general rule, only one of each is issued to people whose conditions warrant this privilege.  This is for the reason of controlling misuse of these items.  The rule under 540CMR17.03 however; does allow for the Registrar to "issue both a plate and placard upon application and for good cause shown by the applicant."  This is totally discretionary on the part of the Registry of Motor Vehicles and they in turn will determine what “good cause” for issuance is.
            The fines are serious for misuse of these disability permits.  Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 2 calls for a first offense civil infraction of $500 for misusing a disability plate or placard.  The second and subsequent offense penalty is $1,000.  These spaces are in their designated locations for the convenient use of facilities for those with limited mobility.  Remember to observe the laws carefully and show consideration for those individuals who need this assistance.

            I wish to take a moment to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during our construction on West Main Street.  Sewer main work has occupied more of the road than anticipated and it has been necessary to redirect traffic throughout Town.  We hope this situation can be wrapped up shortly and we ask everyone to seek alternate routes during this construction.

            I also wish to welcome new Town Administrator Mr. Peter Jankowski and Administrative Assistant Ms. Michelle Roy to the community.  Both have assumed duties in the busy Selectmen’s Office and I wish them all the best with their new endeavors.

VALGO Construction of Dudley is once again holding a Boston Red Sox Ticket Raffle to benefit the Dudley DARE Program.  Winners selected will receive tickets to a Red Sox home game this Season.  All proceeds of this raffle go to the Dudley Police DARE Program.  Tickets are $1 each and are available at Peter’s Hair Salon on West Main Street and O’Connor and Company Insurance on Village Street.  The drawing will take place on August 1^st.  My thanks go to VALGO Construction for their support of the DARE program.

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