[Ord. No. 26, § 2; Ord. No. 112, § 1; Ord.
No. 11, 3-2-1967, § 1; Ord. No. 41, 10-30-1967, § 1; Ord.
No. 816, § I, 1-15-1997]
Wherever in this chapter the following terms are used, they
shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section
unless otherwise expressly provided, or unless a different meaning
is reasonably and clearly apparent from the language or context:
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Vehicles of the Police Department, Fire Department, fire
patrol, ambulances, repair and emergency vehicles of municipal and
public service corporations.
BUS STOP
That portion of a way set apart for the berthing and parking
of buses.
CROSSWALK
That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the
prolongation or connection of curb lines and property lines at intersections,
or at any portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing
by lines on the road surface or by other markings or signs.
INTERSECTION
The area embraced within the extensions of the lateral curb
lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines, of intersecting
ways as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1, including divided ways.
The regulations herein contained governing and restricting the movement
of vehicles at and near intersecting ways shall apply at any place
along any way at which drivers are to be controlled by traffic control
signals whether or not such place is an intersection as herein defined.
LOADING ZONE
That portion of a roadway adjacent to a curb reserved for
the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers
or materials, indicated by appropriate signs, lines or markings.
MULTI-SPACE PARKING METERS AND SPACES[Ord. No. 1174, § 1, 9-13-2016]
(a)
A multi-space meter is a device installed by the City for acceptance
of required parking fees for more than one parking space. A multi-space
meter may regulate multiple parking spaces on-street (curbside or
angled spaces) or off-street (parking lots or garages.) Use of a multi-space
meter may require a motorist to enter a license plate number in conjunction
with making a payment. Multi-space meters may accept a variety of
payment options, which may include coins, credit cards, tokens or
stored value cards, such as smart cards, and mobile device applications.
At all times, payment in advance is required at any multi-space meter.
(b)
Multi-space meter spaces are defined as any parking space within
a parking meter zone, designated or not, where at least one posted
sign states requirement for payment at a multi-space meter. Multi-space
meters shall be in close proximity to the parking spaces.
(c)
Multi-space meters shall operate in one of the following ways:
for street parking, the motorist shall park his or her vehicle, proceed
to the nearest meter, enter his or her license plate number and pay
the required fee; or for off-street parking in garages and lots, the
motorist shall park his or her vehicle, proceed to the nearest meter,
enter his or her license plate number and then pay the required fee.
(d)
Any operator of a vehicle, upon entering a multi-space meter
regulated space, shall immediately enter his or her license plate
number and deposit the required fee for regulated parking, including
for periods of free parking.
(e)
When parking on a block regulated by multi-space meters and
the nearest meter is out of order or cannot issue a receipt, payment
shall be made at the next available multi-space meter on the block.
OFFICER
Any police officer authorized to make arrests, or any investigator,
examiner or inspector of the registry of motor vehicles; provided,
that he is in uniform or has his badge of office displayed over his
left breast and upon his outer garment.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND SIGNS
All signals, signs, markings and devices, placed or erected
pursuant to this chapter, by order of any public body or official
having jurisdiction hereunder, for the purpose of guiding, directing,
warning or regulating traffic which conform to the standards prescribed
by the department of public works of the commonwealth.
PARKING
The standing of a vehicle for any period of time if not occupied
by the operator thereof, or for a period of longer than two consecutive
minutes when occupied by the operator thereof, otherwise than temporarily
for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading,
or in obedience to an officer or traffic signs or signals, or while
making emergency repairs, or if disabled, while arrangements are being
made to move such vehicle.
PARKING METER
Any mechanical device, not inconsistent with the provisions
of this chapter, and placed or erected on any public way within the
city for the regulation of parking. Each parking meter installed shall
indicate by proper legend the parking time established by this chapter
and when operated shall at all times indicate the balance of legal
parking time permitted and at the expiration of such period shall
indicate illegal or overtime parking.
PARKING METER SPACE
Any space within a parking meter zone, adjacent to a parking
meter, which is duly designated for the parking of a single vehicle
by lines painted on the surface of the street adjacent to or adjoining
each parking meter.
PARKING METER ZONE
Any street or portion thereof upon which parking meters are
installed and in operation and upon which parking of vehicles is permitted
for a limited time subject to compliance with the further provisions
of this chapter.
PEDESTRIAN
Any person afoot or riding on a conveyance moved by human
power, except bicycles or tricycles.
ROADWAY
That portion of a street or way between the regularly established
curb lines, or that part improved or intended to be used for vehicular
traffic.
SAFETY ZONE
An area or space which is set apart within a roadway for
the exclusive use of pedestrians, and which has been indicated by
signs, lines or markings having the written approval of the department
of public works of the commonwealth.
SIDEWALK
That portion of a street or highway set aside for pedestrian
traveling.
STREET
A duly accepted public way.
TAXICAB STAND
That portion of a way in which certain taxicabs are required
to stand or to park while waiting to be engaged.
TRAFFIC
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other
conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes
of travel.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL
Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically
operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed
and which conforms to the standard prescribed by the department of
public works of the commonwealth.
TRAFFIC LANE
A longitudinal division of a roadway into a strip of sufficient
width to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, including bicycles
when the provisions of this Code are applicable to them, except other
devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails
or tracks and devices which derive their power for operation from
stationary overhead wires.
VEHICLE, COMMERCIAL
Any vehicle used in the transportation of goods, wares or
merchandise for commercial purposes.
VEHICLE, HEAVY COMMERCIAL
A commercial vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating,
as evidenced by its registration certificate, of 26,001 or more pounds,
or any vehicle towing another vehicle which is 10,001 or more pounds.
WAY
A duly accepted public way.
[Ord. No. 26, § 2; Ord. No. 563, § 1; Ord.
No. 579, § 1; Ord. No. 597, § 1; Ord. No. 29, 8-11-1967, § 5; Ord. No. 1094,
§ I, 11-25-2014]
Officers of the police department of the city, under the direction
of the chief of police, are hereby charged and entrusted with the
duty of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, and authorized to
control, regulate and direct all traffic in conformance with the provisions
thereof; provided, that in the event of a fire, funeral procession,
parade, celebration, public event or other emergency offering an immediate
threat to public safety, or to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians,
officers of the police department may temporarily direct traffic as
conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter,
except as hereinafter provided.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon request
of the Commissioner of Public Services or the traffic engineer, the
chief of police shall prohibit temporarily parking or traffic on any
public or private way open to public use, or part thereof, in an impending
or existing emergency; provided, that there is a reasonable justification
for such prohibition.
[Ord. No. 26, § 2]
Any police officer directing traffic within two blocks of an
adjacent traffic control signal shall, except in an emergency, synchronize
his traffic directions with such signal and afford drivers the least
delay possible.
[Ord. No. 26, § 2]
The provisions of this chapter regulating the movement, parking, stopping and standing of vehicles shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in section
13-1 while the driver of such vehicle is operating the same in response to an emergency call in the necessary performance of duty. This exemption shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
All fire apparatus returning from fires shall obey traffic signals.
All police apparatus when not on urgent call shall obey traffic
signals.
When, in the judgment of the chief of police, any building,
construction or razing operations, or any other temporary condition
or emergency in the immediate vicinity require a deviation from the
provisions of this chapter, he may issue a temporary permit or license
allowing such deviation during the time of and to the extent necessitated
by such operations, condition or emergency.
[Ord. No. 26, § 2]
Every person propelling any pushcart or riding an animal upon
a roadway, and every person driving any animal thereon, shall be subject
to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the operator of any
vehicle, except those provisions thereof with reference to the equipment
of vehicles, and except those provisions which by their very nature
have no application.
[Ord. No. 26, § 2; Ord. No. 13, 3-2-1967, § 2]
A. Pedestrians crossing ways or roadways. Pedestrians shall obey the
directions of police officers directing traffic and whenever there
is an officer directing traffic, a traffic control signal or a marked
crosswalk within 300 feet of a pedestrian, no such pedestrian shall
cross a way or roadway except within the limits of a marked crosswalk
and as hereinafter provided in these regulations. For the purpose
of these regulations, a marked crosswalk shall only be construed to
be that area of a roadway reserved for pedestrian crossing located
between two solid white reflectorized twelve-inch pavement markings
in rural areas or markings not less than six inches wide in urban
areas, such markings or lines being no less than six feet apart.
B. Pedestrian obedience to traffic control signals. Unless otherwise
directed by a police officer, a pedestrian within 300 feet of a traffic
control signal shall obey the indications of such signal as follows:
(1) RED AND YELLOW OR "WALK". Whenever the red and yellow lenses are
illuminated together or the signal word "WALK" is illuminated, pedestrians
facing such indication may proceed across the roadway, but only in
the direction of such signal.
(2) RED ALONE OR "DON'T WALK". Whenever the words "DON'T WALK" or any
indication other than red and yellow shown together are illuminated
in a traffic control signal having red and yellow or "WALK" indications,
pedestrians approaching or facing such indication shall wait on the
sidewalk or in the pedestrian refuge area of a traffic island and
shall not enter upon or cross a roadway until the red and yellow or
"WALK" indication is illuminated in the traffic control signal, but
any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the red
and yellow or "WALK" indication shall proceed (or return) to the nearest
sidewalk or safety island immediately on the yellow indication, the
red indication or when the words "DON'T WALK" are illuminated by rapid
intermittent flashes.
(3) GREEN ALONE. At a traffic control signal having no red and yellow
or "WALK" indication, pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across
the roadway within any marked crosswalk in the direction of an illuminated
green indication.
(4) YELLOW ALONE, RED ALONE OR FLASHING "DON'T WALK." Pedestrians approaching
or facing a yellow, red or flashing "DON'T WALK" illuminated indication
shall not start to cross a roadway.
(5) FLASHING RED, FLASHING YELLOW OR FLASHING GREEN. At a traffic control
signal where a flashing red, flashing yellow, or flashing green indication
is being given facing a crosswalk, pedestrians shall actuate, where
provided, the pedestrian signal indication and cross the roadway only
when the red-yellow or "WALK" indication is illuminated. If no pedestrian
indication is provided, pedestrians shall cross within the crosswalks
with due care.
C. Pedestrian actuation of traffic control signal. At a traffic control
signal having red and yellow or "WALK" indications which are illuminated
only upon actuation by a pedestrian push button, no pedestrian shall
cross a roadway unless or until the pedestrian push button has been
actuated, and he shall then cross only when the red and yellow or
"WALK" indication is illuminated. At a traffic control signal having
no red and yellow or "WALK" indication, a pedestrian shall cross only
when the green indication is illuminated. If the green indication
is illuminated only upon actuation by a pedestrian push button, no
pedestrian shall cross unless or until such button has been actuated
and then only when the green indication is illuminated. No person
shall actuate a pedestrian push button unless a crossing of the roadway
is intended.
D. Crossing at nonsignalized locations. Every pedestrian crossing a
roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk shall yield
the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway. At a point where
a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided pedestrians shall
cross the roadway only by the proper use of the tunnel or overpass.
E. Pedestrian use of roadway.
(1) A pedestrian crossing a roadway shall yield the right of way to funeral
or other processions, and to ambulances and civil defense, fire, police,
and like vehicles on emergency runs, and when such procession or vehicle
has passed, shall cross the roadway only in conformity with these
rules.
(2) No pedestrian shall leave a sidewalk or safety island and walk or
run into the path of a moving vehicle which is so close that it is
impossible for the driver to yield the right of way.
(3) No pedestrian shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting
a ride, employment or business from the operator, or any occupant,
of any vehicle thereon.
(4) No pedestrian shall enter upon a marked crosswalk unless a crossing
of the roadway is intended.
(5) A pedestrian crossing a roadway within a marked crosswalk shall use
the half of such crosswalk to his right.
(6) A person alighting from a vehicle parked or stopped at a sideline
of, or a curb in, a roadway shall alight from the side of such vehicle
nearest such sideline or curb, or if he alights from the other side
of such vehicle, shall proceed immediately to such a sideline or curb,
and in either case shall thereupon cross such roadway only in conformity
with these rules.
(7) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and
upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the left side
of the roadway on its unfinished shoulder facing traffic which may
approach from the opposite direction.
F. Exemption. These rules shall not apply to pedestrians actually engaged
in work upon a roadway closed to travel or under construction, reconstruction
or repair, or to public officers or employees, or the officers or
employees of a public service corporation, upon a roadway in the performance
of their duties or to a pedestrian upon a roadway in an emergency.
G. Penalties. Any person who violates any provision of these regulations
shall be punished as provided in section 18A of Chapter 90 of the
General Laws.
H. Provisions severable. The provisions of these regulations are hereby
declared to be severable; and if any provision of any regulation is
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect or impair any other provision
of such regulation or any other regulation.
I. Inconsistencies. If, and in so far as, the other provisions of Chapter
13 are inconsistent with any provisions of this section, the provisions of this section shall govern.
[Ord. No. 26, § 2; Ord. No. 236, § 1, 9-19-1975; Ord. No. 1052, § I, 5-24-2011]
Any person convicted of a violation of any rule, regulation
or order made hereunder, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
$50 for each offense except as otherwise herein provided.
[Ord. No. 236, § 1, 9-9-1975; Ord. No. 413, § 1, 12-28-1981; Ord. No. 471, § 1, 11-18-1983; Ord. No. 614, §§ 1, 2, 9-15-1988; Ord. No. 690, § 1, 3-25-1992; Ord.
No. 737, § 1, 8-10-1993; Ord. No. 858, § I, 7-13-8.1999; Ord.
No. 937, § I, 11-23-2004; Ord. No. 953, § 1, 3-8-2005; Ord. No. 1130, § I, 4-14-2015]
Pursuant to the provisions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.), section
20A 1/2, chapter 90, any person violating any provision of any
rule, regulation, traffic order, or ordinance regulating the parking
of motor vehicles, shall be punished by a fine for each offense as
hereinafter set forth:
(1) Parking within an intersection: $30.
(2) Parking within five feet of fire hydrant: $50.
(3) Parking so as to obstruct traffic: $30.
(4) Parking so as to obstruct a driveway or private way: $30.
(5) Parking on a crosswalk: $30.
(6) Parking on a sidewalk: $30.
(7) Parking within a tow-away area: The following fines are based upon
one-year time periods:
(c)
Third and subsequent offenses: $50.
(8) Parking along or opposite street excavation or obstruction: $30.
(10)
Parking within 15 feet of an intersection: $30.
(11)
Parking within a prohibited area: $30.
(12)
Parking in a bus stop: $100.
(13)
Parking in a wrong direction: $30.
(14)
Parking in a taxi stand: $30.
(15)
Parking within a loading zone: $30.
(16)
Parking on a tree line: $30.
(17)
Parking so as not to leave 10 feet of unobstructed lane: $30.
(18)
Parking on improved or paved surface of any street between the
hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.: $50.
(19)
Parking over 12 inches from curb: $30.
(20)
Parking outside a designated space: $15.
(21)
Parking meter violation: The following fines are based upon
one-year time periods:
(22)
Parking meter overtime (feeding): The following fines are based
upon one-year time periods:
(23)
Parking improperly in municipal parking areas: $15.
(24)
Any other violation of City ordinance pertaining to parking:
$20.
(25)
Parking in designated handicapped areas:
(26)
Parking in a fire lane: $50.
(27)
Snow emergency only: $50.
(29)
Blocking wheel chair ramp: $100.
[Ord. No. 415,
§ 1, 1-28-1982; Ord. No. 1130, § II, 4-14-2015]
(a) An additional five-dollar penalty will be assessed if a fine is paid
after 21 days, but before the parking clerk reports to the registrar.
(b) An additional five-dollar penalty will be assessed if a fine is paid
after the parking clerk has filed his/her report to the registrar.
[Ord. No. 26, § 2]
All fines collected upon conviction, and all forfeitures of
bail of any person charged with a violation of any of the provisions
of this chapter, shall be paid into the City Treasurer.