For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
have the following meanings:
An area in the way set aside for the boarding or alighting from and
parking of buses.
That portion of a way ordinarily included within the prolongation
or connection of curblines and property lines at intersections or at any portion
of a way clearly indicated for pedestrian use by lines on the road surface
or by other markings or signs.
Any way which joins another at an angle, whether or not it crosses
the other.
A longitudinal division of a way into a strip of sufficient width
to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles.
All vehicles constructed and designed for propulsion by power other
than muscular power.
Any painted line, legend, marking or marker painted or placed upon
any way by public authority which purports to direct or regulate traffic.
Any person who operates a motor vehicle.
A person, other than a lien holder, having title to a motor vehicle.
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily
for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading, in
obedience to an officer or traffic signs or signals, while making emergency
repairs or while making arrangements for removal of a disabled vehicle.
Any officer authorized to make arrests, provided that he is in uniform
or he displays his badge of office.
All signs, markings and devices placed by public authority for the
purpose of guiding, directing, warning or regulating traffic.
Any device using colored lights placed by public authority, whether
manually, electrically, electronically, or mechanically operated, by which
traffic may be directed.
Any vehicle or object on wheels having no motive power of its own,
but which is drawn by, or used in combination with, a motor vehicle.
Any public highway, private way laid out under authority of statute
or way dedicated to public use.
The Town Council shall have the authority pursuant to MGL C. 40, § 22;
C. 40, § 22A; and C. 90, § 20A1/2 to make ordinances,
orders, rules and regulations for the regulation of motor vehicles used within
the Town of Agawam, with penalties for the violation thereof not to exceed
those specified in the Massachusetts General Laws.
A.
Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be the
duty of police officers designated by the Chief of Police to enforce the provisions
of this chapter. Such police officers are hereby authorized to direct all
traffic either in person or by means of visible or audible signals in conformance
with the provisions of this chapter, provided that, in the event of a fire
or other emergency, officers of the Fire Department or other authorized public
employees may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the
provisions of this chapter.
B.
Closing streets. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized
to close temporarily any way in an impending or existing emergency or for
any lawful assemblage, demonstration or procession, provided that there is
reasonable justification for the closing of the way.
C.
Annual accident report. The Chief of Police shall make
an annual written report of motor vehicle accidents to the Mayor on or before
March 1 of the succeeding calendar year.
The Town Council shall designate, by majority vote, the location of
all bus stops.
No person shall coast, course or slide with any sleigh, sled, or other
vehicle on or across any way or on the sidewalks of any way.
No person while standing, walking or running within the limits of a
way shall solicit verbally, by sign or by signal transportation for himself
or for other persons in any motor vehicle except motor vehicles operated for
carriage of passengers for hire.
No person shall, for the purpose of soliciting any alms, contribution
or subscription or of selling any merchandise or ticket of admission to any
game, show, exhibition, fair, ball, entertainment or public gathering, signal
a moving motor vehicle on a way, cause the stopping of a motor vehicle on
a way or accost any occupant of a motor vehicle stopped on a way at the direction
of a traffic sign, traffic signal or police officer.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to persons actually engaged
in work upon a way closed to travel or under construction or repair, to public
officials engaged in the performance of public duties or to drivers of emergency
vehicles while operating in an emergency when the nature of the work requires
a departure from any part of this chapter.
If a motor vehicle is found upon any way in violation of any provision
of this chapter and the identity of the operator cannot be determined, the
owner of such motor vehicle shall be held prima facie responsible for such
violation.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the penalty for any violation of
this chapter shall be a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $200.
