[Amended 9-20-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-20; 3-25-2008 by Ord. No.
2008-9]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BUS STOP
An area in the roadway set aside for the boarding of or alighting
from and the parking of buses.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Any vehicle being used in the transportation of goods, wares
or merchandise for commercial purposes.
CROSSWALK
That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the
prolongation or connection of curblines and property lines at intersections,
or at any portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing
by lines on the surface or by other markings or signs.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Vehicles of the Fire Department, police vehicles, ambulances
and emergency vehicles of federal, state and municipal departments,
and vehicles of public service corporations when responding to an
emergency to preserve life and property.
FLAMMABLE LIQUID
Any liquid which gives off flammable vapors (as determined
by flashpoint from Tagliabue's open cup tester, as used for test of
burning oils) at or below a temperature of 200° F.
FUNERAL
Any procession of mourners, properly identified as such,
accompanying the remains of a human body.
INTERSECTION
The area embraced within the extensions of the lateral curblines,
or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines, of intersecting ways
as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1, including divided ways. The
rules and regulations contained in this chapter 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 defined in this section.
LANE
A longitudinal division of a roadway into a strip of sufficient
width to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles.
METER OCCUPANCY PERMIT
The renting of a meter space for the purpose of construction,
contractors, special events and moving companies. These entities can
rent a meter space for the purpose of renovations, new construction
or the moving of an office as well as for any special event.
MOTORIZED SCOOTER
Any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, is designed to
be stood or sat upon by the operator and is powered by an electric,
gasoline or alcohol-fueled motor that is capable of propelling the
device with or without human propulsion. A "motorcycle" or "motorized
bicycle" as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1, is not a motorized
scooters.
OFFICER
Any officer of the Police Department of the City, or any
constable or special officer duly authorized by law, provided he has
his badge of office displayed over his left breast and upon his outer
garment.
OFFICIAL STREET MARKING
Any painted line, marking or marker placed in or upon any
way by authority of the Traffic Commission and which complies with
the standards of the Department of Transportation of the commonwealth
and has the written approval of such department.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS
All signals conforming to the standards as prescribed by
the Department of Transportation of the commonwealth, not inconsistent
with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of a public body
or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of directing or warning
traffic.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNS
All signs, markings and devices, other than signals, not
inconsistent with this chapter, and which conform to the standards
prescribed by the Department of Transportation of the commonwealth,
placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having
jurisdiction, for the purpose of guiding, directing, warning or regulating
traffic.
PARKING
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, 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, which conforms to the standards prescribed by the
Department of Transportation of the commonwealth, placed or erected
on any public way or municipal off-street parking area within the
City for the regulation of parking. Each meter installed shall indicate
by proper legend the legal 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 or municipal off-street
parking area adjacent to or adjoining each parking meter.
PARKING METER ZONE
Any street or portion thereof or municipal off-street parking
area 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 highway between the regularly
established curblines, or that part, exclusive of shoulders, improved
and intended to be used for vehicular traffic.
ROTARY TRAFFIC
The counterclockwise operation of a vehicle around an object
or a structure.
SAFETY ZONE
Any area set aside 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 Transportation of
the commonwealth.
SERVICE ZONE
An area in the roadway set aside for the accommodation of
commercial and transient vehicular traffic.
SIDEWALK
That portion of a street or highway set aside for pedestrian
travel.
STREET AND HIGHWAY
The entire width between property lines of every way open
to the use of the public for purposes of travel.
TAXICAB STAND
An area in the roadway in which certain taxicabs are required
to park while waiting to be engaged.
TRAFFIC
Pedestrians, herded or ridden animals, vehicles or other
conveyances, either single or together, while using any street or
highway for the purpose of travel.
TRAFFIC CONTROL AREA
Any area along any other than an intersecting way, at which
drivers are to be controlled by traffic control signals.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL
Any device using colored lights which conforms to the standards
as prescribed by the Department of Transportation of the commonwealth,
whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which
traffic may be alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
TRAFFIC ISLAND
Any area or space set aside within a roadway, which is not
intended for use by vehicular traffic.
U-TURN
The turning of a vehicle by means of a continuous left turn
whereby the direction of such vehicle is reversed.
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 chapter 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.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to operators
actually engaged in work upon a street or highway closed to travel
or under construction or repair, to officers when engaged in the performance
of public duties, or to drivers of emergency vehicles while operating
in an emergency and in performance of public duties, when the nature
of the work of any of these persons necessitates a departure from
any part of this chapter. These exemptions shall not, however, protect
the driver of any vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard
of the safety of others.
It shall be the duty of the Police Department of the City to
enforce the provisions of this chapter. Officers of the Police Department
are hereby authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by
visible or audible signals in conformance with the provisions of this
chapter; provided that, in the event of a fire or other emergency,
to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police
or Fire Department may direct traffic, as conditions may require,
notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter.
It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to or fail to
comply with any lawful order, signal or direction of a police officer.
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to close, temporarily,
any street or highway in an impending or existing emergency or for
a lawful assemblage, demonstration or procession, provided there is
reasonable justification for the closing of such street.
[Added 6-24-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-26]
Under the provisions of §
70-5, the Chief of Police shall be authorized to close a designated portion of South Main Street to vehicular traffic from Rodman Street to Sullivan Drive, from Friday at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday at 10:00 p.m. from May through October. Such closure shall be for the establishment of a "restaurant row" along said portion of South Main Street.
It shall be unlawful for the operator of any bicycle or motorcycle,
when upon the street, to carry any other person upon the handlebars,
frame or tank of any such vehicle, or for any person to so ride upon
such vehicle.
No person shall operate or use, or cause to be used, any vehicle
commonly called an "advertising sound machine" within the City limits
which may disturb the safety, peace or comfort of the public.
[Amended 3-28-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-10]
A. No person shall park or operate a vehicle or motorcycle upon any
street while having a sound or music device playing at such a volume
so as to disturb persons living in the neighborhood where such motor
vehicle or motorcycle is parked or traveling.
B. No person shall park an automobile and/or motorcycle on any way or
place where the public has the right of access as invitees or licensees
so as to intimidate the public and deprive them of their lawful use,
either by noise created by mechanical or electrical means or by a
trespass.
No person shall operate or park a vehicle on any street or highway
for the primary purpose of displaying advertising signs.
The driver or owner of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting
in the injury or death of any person or in which there is damage in
excess of the amount established in state law to any one vehicle or
other property shall report such accident in compliance with the provisions
of MGL c. 90, § 26.
No person shall move or drive a vehicle on any street or highway,
nor shall any owner of a private vehicle knowingly permit such vehicle
to be driven or moved on any street or highway, unless such vehicle
is so constructed or loaded as to prevent its contents from spilling,
dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping from the vehicle.
Vehicles loaded with any material which may be blown about by the
wind shall be suitably covered to prevent the contents from being
blown upon the streets or highways.
If any vehicle is found upon any street or highway in violation
of any provision of this chapter and the identity of the driver cannot
be determined, the owner or the person in whose name such vehicle
is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for such violation.
[Added 9-20-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-20]
A. No person shall operate a motorized scooter on any way or on any
sidewalk appurtenant thereto, or in any place to which the public
has a right of access, or any place to which members of the public
have access as invitees or licensees, or on any public property, schools,
playgrounds or parks within the City.
B. No person, owner, lessee or person who has under his custody, care
or control a motorized scooter shall allow or permit any person to
operate a motorized scooter on any way or on any sidewalk appurtenant
thereto, or in any place to which the public has a right of access,
or any place to which members of the public have access as invitees
or licensees, or on any public property, schools, playgrounds or parks
within the City.