[HISTORY: Adopted by the Special Town Meeting of the Town
of Lee 5-26-1971 by Art. 10 as Ch. 4 of the 1971 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purposes of this chapter, the words and phrases used
herein shall have the meanings set forth in this section, except in
those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Any boat, including a raft, canoe, skiff, dinghy, rowboat,
sailing boat or motor boat less than 26 feet in overall length.
A boat less than 26 feet in overall length propelled by any
mechanical means.
Any individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company,
association or joint-stock association, including any trustee, administrator,
executor, receiver, assignee or other personal representative thereof.
Rowboats, canoes and sailing boats shall have the right-of-way
at all times in or on any river, lake or pond within the territorial
limits of the Town.
Every operator of a power-driven boat in or on any river, lake
or pond within the territorial limits of the Town shall at all times
navigate such boat in a careful and prudent manner and at such rate
of speed as not to endanger the property of another or the life or
limb of any person. Reckless navigation of a motorboat shall include
operating the same in a manner which unnecessarily interferes with
the free and proper use of the waters of any river, lake or pond within
the territorial limits of the Town, unnecessarily endangers other
boats therein or becomes a nuisance annoying others.
If any boat, canoe or water vehicle violates any provision of
this chapter and the identity of the operator cannot be determined,
the owner or the person in whose name such boat, canoe or water vehicle
is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for such violation.
This chapter shall be enforced by any authorized police officer.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter
shall forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding $50 for each offense.
[Added 5-9-1974 ATM by Art. 38]
A.
All boats powered by any means other than hand-powered or electric-powered
motors are hereby prohibited on the Housatonic River, including its
backwaters or impounded waters within the limits of the Town of Lee.
B.
This section shall not apply to authorized gasoline-powered boats
that are used for authorized work projects, such as river cleanup,
rescue or conservation investigations, emergency purposes or other
authorized projects.
C.
The Conservation Commission of the Town of Lee shall be empowered,
in addition to any other lawful agencies or persons, to bring a complaint
for a violation of this section.
D.
No person shall be prosecuted for any offense against any of the
provisions of this section unless a complaint for the same shall have
been instituted and commenced within six months from the time when
such offense was committed.
