Revocation, suspension, cancellation.
A. The City Council may issue carriage licenses for the regular operation of horse-drawn carriages on public ways within the City of Northampton and carriage driver's licenses for drivers of said horse-drawn carriages. Except as permitted under §
316-27, no person or entity may operate any horse-drawn carriage on public ways within the City of Northampton without first obtaining a carriage license nor may any person drive such a carriage without obtaining a carriage driver's license. The City Council may establish a maximum number of either type of license which shall be issued.
B. Any license issued under this article may be suspended
or revoked for cause after a hearing by the City Council or a designated
committee thereof. "Cause" shall include, but not be limited to, violation
of the terms of the license, violation of a City ordinance or state
statute, reckless or disruptive behavior by driver or animal, poor
equipment maintenance, or mistreatment of animals.
C. If the City Council determines, in its sole discretion,
that the operation of horse-drawn carriages on public ways is not
appropriate, viable, or is disruptive or a threat to public safety,
it may cancel all carriage licenses and carriage driver's licenses
then in force. The City Council may also suspend all carriage licenses
and carriage driver's licenses for a limited period of time if it
determines, in its sole discretion, that the public interest requires
such temporary suspension. No hearing shall be required in the case
of a general cancellation or suspension of licenses. However, written
notice of such cancellation or suspension shall be sent to all licensees.
Said cancellation or suspension shall be effective on a date as determined
by the City Council but, in any case, the effective date of the cancellation
or suspension shall be not less than seven days after the vote of
the City Council to impose such cancellation or suspension.
[Amended 5-19-1994; 12-4-2014]
Notwithstanding §§
316-22 through
316-26, the Department of Public Works may issue a one-day permit for the operation of a horse-drawn vehicle on specified public ways located within the City of Northampton. Such operation shall be in connection with a specified event, such as a wedding, and not for the general carrying of passengers for hire. The driver of a horse-drawn vehicle under this section must meet the same requirements as set forth for a carriage driver license under §
316-24B, but is not required to obtain such a license. The Department of Public Works shall notify the Police Department of any such permits issued.