[Adopted 6-27-2006 by Doc. 74[1] (Ch. 222, Art. XI, of the 1980 Code)]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was passed as amended "to delay the implementation for six months and refer to Administration and Finance Committee for further review and possible further amendments."
When used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
CERTIFICATE HOLDER
The holder of a certificate of compliance issued by the Superintendent in accordance with the provisions of this article. A certificate holder is responsible for the installation and maintenance of newsracks encompassed by any certificate of compliance issued pursuant to the provisions of this article and for compliance with all provisions contained herein.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
The certificate of compliance issued by the Superintendent to the certificate holder in accordance with the provisions of this article.
NEWSRACK
Any type of unmanned device for the vending or free distribution of newspapers, periodicals or printed material of whatever nature.
NEWSRACK STICKER
A sequentially numbered sticker issued by the Superintendent for placement on individual newsracks in accordance with the provisions of this article.
OPERATOR
Any natural person or other legal entity including, but not limited to, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures and the like who either own, operate or are otherwise in control of a newsrack.
PUBLIC WAY
Any public highway, private way laid out under authority of statute, way dedicated to public use, sidewalk or way under the control of the Superintendent.
SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent of Highways for the City of Haverhill or such person as said Superintendent may from time to time designate. The Superintendent has jurisdiction over the public ways in the City of Haverhill.
A. 
Requirement. No person shall place, affix, erect, construct or maintain a newsrack in or on any part of a public way without first obtaining a one-time-only certificate of compliance from the Superintendent in accordance with the provisions of this article.
B. 
Limit. Only one certificate of compliance shall be required for each operator of a newsrack or series of newsracks notwithstanding the number of newsracks or similar devices dispensing such newspapers, periodicals or newsracks or similar devices dispensing such newspapers, periodicals or printed material.
C. 
Issuing authority. The Superintendent shall be the issuing authority and coordinator of the application process and administration of this article.
D. 
Approving authorities. The approving authorities shall be the Chief of Police and the Chief of the Fire Department. The approving authorities shall provide review and approval only as to compliance with § 222-76, Standards. The Superintendent shall provide review and approval coordination with the approving authorities, as well as review and approval as to compliance with § 222-74, Certificate of compliance, § 222-76 and § 222-79, Installation and maintenance.
E. 
Application process. Applicants must complete a written application on a form provided by the Superintendent.
F. 
Application. The application shall describe, in sufficient detail, the number, location and type of newsracks for which the certificate of compliance is sought and shall contain the following information:
(1) 
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant who is the owner/operator or other person who is the principal responsible person in charge of the newsrack(s); and
(2) 
The name, address and telephone number of a natural person (if different from the applicant) whom the City may notify and/or contact at any time concerning the applicant's newsracks. This person would be responsible for receiving complaints and notices of violations when a certificate of compliance is issued and for providing information relating to the application during the application process; and
(3) 
The number of newsracks and a written description specifying the proposed approximate location of each; and
(4) 
A certificate of insurance, approved by the City Solicitor, naming the City of Haverhill as an additional insured in an amount sufficient to indemnify the City and hold it harmless from any and all claims or judgments for personal and bodily injury, including death, or property damage and from costs and expenses to which the City may be subjected or which it may suffer or incur by reason of the design, placement, installation, operation or maintenance of any of the applicant's newsracks. Reasonable evidence of self-insurance coverage may be substituted by the applicant for the certificate of insurance, if approved by the City Solicitor. Insurance under this article shall run continuously with the presence of the applicant's newsrack in City of Haverhill public ways and any termination or lapse of such insurance shall be a violation of this article, subject to appropriate remedy under § 222-80; and
(5) 
A certification from the applicant stating that the proposed location for all of the newsracks listed in the application are in compliance with the provisions of this article.
G. 
Issuance of a certificate of compliance. Upon a finding by the Superintendent that the applicant is in compliance with the provisions of this article, the Superintendent shall issue a certificate of compliance for installation by the applicant. The Superintendent shall issue a partial certificate of compliance upon a finding that some of the proposed newsrack locations are in compliance with the provisions of this article. Upon the issuance of a certificate of compliance or a partial certificate of compliance the Superintendent shall issue the appropriate number of newsrack stickers for the locations that have been approved. Issuance of a certificate of compliance or a partial certificate of compliance shall designate the applicant to be the certificate holder. The Superintendent shall issue a certificate of compliance within 10 days of the Superintendent's receipt of the completed application.
H. 
Denial of certificate of compliance. If an application for some newsrack location shall be denied, the Superintendent shall notify the applicant within 10 days of the Superintendent's receipt of the completed application. The Superintendent shall state the specific reasons for denial and will suggest alternative locations. The applicant may reapply for a substitute alternative location without having to pay an additional application fee. An applicant who has been denied a certificate of compliance pursuant to this article may appeal at any time by requesting in writing to the Superintendent to appear before the City Council to review said denial. The City Council shall hear the appeal within 20 days of receipt of the appeal or at the next regularly scheduled meeting, whichever is sooner. The Council shall send its decision to the publisher within seven days after the hearing.
A. 
There shall be a one-time-only certificate of compliance fee in the amount of $150.
B. 
Additional certificate of compliance. If at any time after the Superintendent has issued a certificate of compliance a certificate holder proposes to install additional newsracks, then the provisions of § 222-74 are to be repeated. The $150 one-time-only certificate of compliance fee is waived if previously paid.
A. 
Placement. Subject to the prohibitions contained in this article newsracks shall be placed parallel to and not less than 18 inches nor more than 24 inches from the edge of the curb. Newsracks placed near the wall of a building or other structure must be placed parallel to and not more than six inches away from the wall.
B. 
No newsrack(s) shall be affixed, erected, installed, placed, used or maintained:
(1) 
At any location whereby the clear space for the passage of pedestrians is reduced to less than four feet in width; and
(2) 
Within five feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk; and
(3) 
Within five feet of any fire hydrant, fire lane, fire call box, police call box or other emergency facility, mail box, telephone booth or stand; and
(4) 
Within five feet of any part of a curb return of a curb ramp or driveway, or in the case of a curb ramp or driveway without a curb return, within five feet of the point where the curb edgestone or edging begins a change in grade toward the driveway or ramp on each side thereof, or in the case of a termination of the curb, edgestone or edging without a change in grade or a turn, within five feet of the point of the same terminates on each side of the ramp or driveway; and
(5) 
Within five feet of any traffic control signal or traffic sign; and
(6) 
Within five feet of a bicycle rack; and
(7) 
Within five feet ahead or 15 feet to the rear of any designated bus stop, taxi stand, valet parking area, loading zone or fire lane, unless such newsrack is placed parallel against a wall that is within four feet of a designated bus stop, taxi stand, valet parking area, loading zone or fire lane and the newsrack so placed does not project into or otherwise interfere with the unobstructed flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and
(8) 
Which in any way protrudes onto a street.
A. 
Attachment to trees and other objects prohibited. No operator shall place or cause to be placed and no operator shall suffer to remain any newsrack chained or otherwise attached to any tree, street light post, traffic signal or sign, fire hydrant, fire call box, police call box or other emergency facility, mail box, or telephone booth or stand.
B. 
Attachment to other newsracks. Newsracks, when placed side by side, may be chained or otherwise attached to one another, provided that no group of newsracks shall extend for a distance of more than 10 feet along a curb, and a space of not less than five feet shall separate each group of newsracks.
It shall be unlawful for any operator to use a newsrack for advertising or publicity purposes other than that dealing with the display, sale or purchase of the publications dispensed therein.
Newsracks shall be of a sturdy material and installed or otherwise placed in accordance with the following provisions:
A. 
Each newsrack shall prominently display the newsrack sticker issued by the Superintendent pursuant to the provisions of this article.
B. 
Each newsrack shall be:
(1) 
Installed or placed on the pavement in an upright, sufficiently weighted and secure position; and
(2) 
Of a type that is completely enclosed, with a self-closing door that is either self-latching or otherwise requires manual or mechanical release at each use; and
(3) 
Maintained in a state of good repair and in a neat and clean condition; and
(4) 
Maintained in a condition that is free of accumulations of outdated printed materials, trash, rubbish, or debris.
C. 
Each newsrack shall be regularly serviced so that:
(1) 
It is kept reasonably free of graffiti; and
(2) 
It is kept reasonably free of chipped, faded, peeling and cracked paint in the visible painted areas thereof; and
(3) 
It is kept reasonably free of rust and corrosion in the visible unpainted metal areas thereof; and
(4) 
The clear glass or plastic parts thereof, if any, through which the printed material being dispensed are not broken and are kept reasonably free of tears, peeling or fading; and
(5) 
The structural parts of the newsrack are not broken or unduly misshapen.
A. 
Nonconforming newsracks. Any newsrack found not to be in compliance with this article shall be subject to the enforcement provisions contained herein.
B. 
Abandonment. A newsrack shall otherwise be deemed abandoned if no printed material is found in the newsrack for a period of more than 15 consecutive days and the Superintendent shall take appropriate action under this article. In the event that a certificate holder voluntarily abandons a newsrack location, the certificate holder shall so notify the Superintendent, completely remove the newsrack and restore the public way to a safe condition.
C. 
Enforcement.
(1) 
Enforcement of the provisions of this article shall be carried out by the Superintendent. Upon a determination that a violation of any provision of this article exists the Superintendent shall notify the certificate holder of the violation in writing by first-class mail. The notice shall include:
(a) 
The newsrack sticker and location of the newsrack; and
(b) 
The date of the incident or other cause giving rise to the violation; and
(c) 
A brief and concise statement of the facts causing the violation.
(2) 
The notice shall inform the certificate holder that at the expiration of 10 days from the receipt of the violation notice, the newsrack will be removed by the Superintendent, unless the violation is corrected.
(3) 
Upon removal of a newsrack, the Superintendent shall send, by first-class mail, written notice of such removal to the certificate holder.
(4) 
Notwithstanding the provisions of the foregoing Subsection C(1)(a) through (c) of this subsection, the Superintendent may order the immediate removal of any newsrack(s) that the Superintendent determines presents an imminent threat or peril to public or safety, provided that the certificate holder, shall be notified of such removal as soon as practicable thereafter, and further provided that any newsrack so removed shall be stored a period of 30 days in order to allow the certificate holder to retrieve the newsrack. If the Superintendent removes a newsrack under this Subsection C(4) which does not have a certificate of compliance, the Superintendent shall dispose of the newsrack at the end of the thirty-day period if not retrieved.
A. 
A newsrack removed pursuant to this article may be retrieved by the certificate holder at any time within 30 days of its removal upon payment of a removal fee of $50 plus a storage fee of $5 per day, to a maximum combined removal and storage fee of $100.
B. 
After 30 days, any newsracks removed by the Superintendent pursuant to § 222-80C(4) of this article shall be deemed "abandoned property" and become the property of the City of Haverhill.
C. 
Failure of a certificate holder to retrieve a newsrack within the specified thirty-day period shall not operate to dismiss any fees owed to the City of Haverhill for removal and storage of such newsrack. Unpaid fees accrued pursuant to this article shall be considered a debt payable to the City of Haverhill.
The provisions of this article shall be severable and if any section, part, or portion hereof shall be held invalid for any purpose by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: So in original.
Article XIII above shall take effect 90 days from the date of approval.
[1]
Editor's Note: Doc. 74, comprising this article, was passed 6-27-2006 as amended "to delay the implementation for six months and refer to Administration and Finance Committee for further review and possible further amendments."