[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of South
Hadley 1-11-2017 STM by Art. 14. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Dead animals will be removed by the Board of Health and/or the
Town Department of Public Works. No person shall place or cause to
be placed or left in or upon any public or private street or way,
enclosure or grounds, or in any body or stream of water within the
limits of this Town, the body of any dead animal, fowl, or any substance
or material that is or may become offensive or cause a nuisance, or
may tend to obstruct the flow of any stream.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to create, assist
in creating, continue or allow to continue any excessive, unnecessary
or unusually loud noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or
endangers the reasonable quiet, comfort, repose, or the health and
safety of others within the Town, including, without limitation:
(1)
The playing of any radio, phonograph, television set, amplified or
musical instruments, loudspeakers, tape recorder, or other electronic
sound-producing devices in such a manner or with volume at any time
or place so as to annoy or disturb the reasonable quiet, comfort or
repose of any person;
(2)
The keeping of any animal or bird which, by causing frequent or long-continued
noise, shall disturb the reasonable quiet, comfort or repose of any
person;
(3)
The use of any drum or other instrument or device of any kind for
the purpose of attracting by the creation of noise, unless the person
is a participant in a school band activity or duly authorized parade
or has been otherwise authorized to engage in such activity by the
Selectboard;
(4)
The operation of vehicles, equipment, tools or machines used as a
means of construction, maintenance, repair or demolition of a building
site, building, bridge, tower or road between the hours of 8:00 p.m.
and 7:00 a.m.; and
(5)
Engine noise during or incidental to the repair of motor vehicles
between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on commercial premises or at any time
on residential premises.
B.
The foregoing restrictions shall not apply or be enforced against:
(1)
Emergency vehicles;
(2)
Highway and utility maintenance and construction, necessary excavation
in or repairs of bridges, streets or highways, or any public utility
installation by or on behalf of the Town, any public utility or any
agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(3)
Snow removal or street cleaning or maintenance of commercial parking
lots;
(4)
The reasonable use of amplifiers or loud speakers for public addresses,
which are noncommercial in nature;
(5)
Noise caused by agricultural, farm-related activities as defined
by MGL c. 128, § 1A, as amended from time to time, including
but not limited to the operation of farm equipment, harvesting equipment,
noises from farm animals and the like;
(6)
Noise caused by lawful hunting or other lawful discharge of firearms;
(7)
Noise from activities that have been duly authorized by the Selectboard;
and
(8)
Organized sporting events on designated fields as sanctioned by the
Town or sports organizations.
A.
No owner
of real property within the Town of South Hadley will allow, create,
maintain, or cause to be created a blighted property. With respect
to a property which has a building or structure within its bounds,
the owner of said property will notify the Building Commissioner by
registered letter that the property is vacant, in disuse or unoccupied
within 60 days of vacancy. The owner must supply primary and secondary
contact information for the property to the Building Commissioner.
The owner will be assessed $100 for an annual inspection and must
make the property reasonably available to the Building Commissioner
and/or the Fire District with ten-day notice or sooner if the situation
demands. Failure to register a vacant property may cause the Town
of South Hadley to fine the property owner $300 a day.
B.
The owner's
primary contact information must be posted conspicuously at or near
the front entrance to the building or each significant entrance if
appropriate to the structure. The property must be kept secure at
all times and safe from vandals, squatters or others who may be a
public safety threat or may cause further damage to the structure
itself. If the Town is compelled to secure said property, it will
lien the property or otherwise seek recompense for related and reasonable
costs associated with making the property secure and/or addressing
debris on the physical property. If a structure is unoccupied for
more than 30 months without cause or reason as determined by the Building
Commissioner, an additional fine of $300 per month may be levied or
otherwise allowed under MGL c. 40U. The property owner will be notified
10 days in advance of the impending fine via registered USPS mail
to the last address registered with the Building Department or the
last address available to the Town. An appeal of fines or a request
for extension for extenuating circumstances may be requested to the
Selectboard.
A.
All property
owners will be responsible to keep their property in a reasonable
state of repair. Grass will be kept no higher than six inches; leaves,
excessive grass clippings will be removed, composted or otherwise
properly disposed of; damaged branches will be addressed; and other
debris or litter will be eliminated from the property.
B.
Violation
of this bylaw may result in a fine of $100 per day. The enforcement
authority for this bylaw shall be the South Hadley Police Department
or South Hadley Health Department.
A.
Discarded
furniture, mattresses, building material, appliances, electronic equipment
or other surplus home goods will not be left on the curb or tree belt
unless allowed or approved by the DPW for pickup.
B.
Violation
of this bylaw may result in a fine of $100 per day. The enforcement
authority for this bylaw shall be the South Hadley Police Department
or South Hadley Health Department.
