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Chief’s Corner
By
Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department
The use of Town property was the
subject of a recent question. The person notices the Selectmen granting
permission for displays or other uses of Town property. The question
was, “where is the law outlining this process?”
Like most local regulations, the answer to this question
lies in our local by-laws. Article eight (Use of Streets and Sidewalks)
section two contains the language regarding displays. It states, "No
person shall use any sidewalk, street, or property of the Town for
display of merchandise or other articles of personal property without
first obtaining written permission to do so from the Selectmen." People
will generally write a letter to the Selectmen's office explaining what
they wish to do. The matter is reviewed, and the Board will either
grant or deny permission.
This law is designed to limit liabilities and keep these
areas open for public use. Should you wish to seek the use of Town
property for display purposes, it is recommended you contact the
Selectmen or Police in advance. The matter can be reviewed with you to
allow sufficient time to change plans, should the use be denied. The
process of checking ahead will save time and effort for all parties
involved and will avoid unnecessary fines and/or aggravation.
As a reminder to coincide
with this practice, any items displayed should be removed promptly when
the event is concluded. Various items left out can cause a nuisance.
The removal of these items will keep the areas free of impediments and
limit the need for future action. We thank you for your cooperation.
Thanks
again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the
Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St., Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at
swojnar@dudleypolice.com.
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