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Town of Middleton, MA
Essex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Middleton as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-14-2002 ATM by Art. 7]
Whoever violates any provision of these bylaws may be penalized by indictment or on complaint brought in the District Court. Except as may be otherwise provided by law and as the District Court may see fit to impose, the maximum penalty for each violation, or offense brought in such manner, shall be $300.
A. 
In addition to the procedures for enforcement as described above, the provisions of these bylaws and the Board of Health Regulations entitled "Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors" may also be enforced by noncriminal complaint pursuant to the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 21D.
[Amended 11-29-2005 STM by Art. 10]
B. 
The Police Department, Building Commissioner, or in cases concerning the enforcement of the Board of Health Regulations entitled "Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors," agents of the Board of Health, as an alternative to initiating criminal proceedings may give to the offender a written notice to appear before the Clerk of the Salem District Court at any time during office hours, not later than 21 days after the date of such notice. Such notice shall be in triplicate and shall contain the name and address, if known, of the offender, the specific offense charged, and the time and place for their required appearance. Such notice should be signed by a police officer, Building Commissioner, or in cases concerning the enforcement of the Board of Health Regulations entitled "Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors," by an agent of the Board of Health, and shall be signed by the offender whenever practicable in acknowledgement that such notice has been received.
[Amended 5-14-2019 ATM by Art. 21; 6-5-2021 ATM by Art. 28]
C. 
The notice shall be served and all the procedures followed as set out in said MGL c. 40, § 21D, as amended.
D. 
Each day, or portion of a day, that any violation is allowed to continue shall constitute a separate offense, beginning with the date of receipt of the notice and order issued pursuant to this bylaw. The penalty for violation of any provision of these bylaws shall be as each bylaw provides, and if there is no penalty the following shall apply:
[Amended 11-29-2005 STM by Art. 10]
(1) 
First offense: written warning.
(2) 
Second offense: $100.
(3) 
Third offense: $200.
(4) 
Fourth and subsequent offenses: $300.
E. 
Without intending to limit the generality of the foregoing, it is the intention of this provision that all bylaws and sections of bylaws and the Board of Health Regulations entitled "Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors" are to be included within the scope of this section, that the specific penalties as set forth in the bylaws and sections of the bylaws and the Board of Health Regulations entitled "Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors" shall apply and that in addition to police officers, who shall in all cases be considered enforcing persons for the purpose of this provision, the municipal personnel listed for each section, if any, and in cases concerning the enforcement of the Board of Health Regulations entitled "Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors" agents of the Board of Health shall also be enforcing persons for such sections.
[Amended 11-29-2005 STM by Art. 10]
[At the Special Town Meeting held on November 29, 2005, under Articles 8 and 9, it was voted to accept the codification of the General Bylaws of the Town of Middleton as set forth in Division 2 of this Code. Articles 8 and 9 were approved by the Attorney General on March 15, 2006.]