[Adopted 5-22-1995 by Ord. No. 95-6037A]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any type of craft, of whatever description, except a motorboat.
The Fort Meadow Commission.
All boats and motorboats.
Any type of boat which has any source of power for propulsion
other than manual oars, paddles or sail.
A.
Any power boat operated on Fort Meadow must meet the
statutory requirements of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. All operations of watercraft on the waters of Fort
Meadow shall be in strict compliance with the U.S. Coast Guard Rules
and Regulations, the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and Rules and Regulations of the Fort Meadow Commission, as ordered.
B.
No craft may be closer than 200 feet to the shore
at Memorial and Hudson Beach except for the purpose of docking at
a designated dock. Craft proceeding to dock or leaving said dock must
do so in a line perpendicular to the shore and must be operated so
as not to endanger any swimmers. At no time, unless proceeding to
shore, shall any motorcraft operate closer than 50 feet to the remaining
shoreline.
C.
No person shall operate any boat at a speed greater
than 40 mph, or a safe and reasonable speed depending on existing
conditions, except during an official supervised race for which the
Fort Meadow Commission has issued a permit in writing. The operator
of any boat shall reduce the boat to headway speed where the operator's
vision is obscured by bridges, curves or bends. Speed at all times
must be reasonable and proper for existing conditions. No person shall
operate a motorboat from sunset until sunrise at a speed in excess
of 5 mph otherwise known as "headway speed." No boat shall be upon
the waters of the pond between the above hours unless there is a white
light attached to the stern which must be visible in all directions.
In addition, a green light must be displayed to the starboard and
a red light to the port.
D.
No person shall navigate any craft or other means
of flotation unless able to control or handle the same with safety
to himself and others, or in such a manner as to annoy or endanger
the occupants of other boats or canoes. No person shall be allowed
to sit on gunwales or decks unless there are guardrails. In order
to ensure an orderly and safe flow of traffic, all power boats will
travel in a counterclockwise movement on Fort Meadow.
E.
All owners of craft must acquaint any person they
allow to operate their craft with the rules of the Commission. Owners
will be responsible, as well as the operator, for any violations of
the rules by their motorboat or craft, whether the owner is present
or not, providing the operator is using the craft with the express
or implied consent of the owner.
F.
No person shall moor or anchor any craft or object
more than 50 feet from shore, except in designated areas, and swimming
across the lake is only permitted when accompanied by a boat and in
accordance with safety rules recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard.
G.
An operator of a motorboat towing waterskis, aquaplanes
or similar devices will be held responsible for compliance of these
rules and regulations for the motorboat and person or appurtenance
being towed. Except in connection with water carnivals or events authorized
or held by the Commission, no such activity may be conducted during
the period between sunset and sunrise. No tow rope longer than 75
feet shall be used in waterskiing, aquaplaning or towing a person
or any other appurtenance. Skiers shall stay within the boat wake
when passing through narrows. Skiers or aquaplane riders shall wear
approved flotation devices and have an attendant other than the driver
who is aged 12 or older.
H.
All powered boats shall be equipped with proper muffler
or underwater exhaust and at no time will a motor be allowed to operate
on the lake that has in any way been altered to cause unnecessary
noise. No person shall annoy another person or utter any profane,
threatening or abusive language. In accordance with local ordinances
governing recreational areas, no one shall have possession of or drink
any intoxicating beverages.
I.
No person shall at any time make an opening in the
ice of Fort Meadow exceeding 12 inches in diameter. Snowmobiles, motorcycles,
iceboats or any other winter recreational vehicles shall exercise
reasonable caution and keep a reasonable distance from all persons,
structures and cleared skating areas. Automobiles and trucks are not
permitted on the ice. All scuba divers must display diver's flag
(float). Boats must stay a minimum of 100 feet away from diver's
flag.
A.
The members of the Commission shall patrol the pond
in order to enforce these rules and regulations and to bring violations
to the notice of offending persons. The Commission may appoint agents
to aid it in the above duties. The operator of any craft shall bring
his craft to a stop when hailed or signaled by the operator or a passenger
of another craft, at which time the hailing or signaling person shall
show identification which identifies them a police officer, a member
of the Commission or as one of its agents.
B.
Enforcement agents. The following individuals shall
have the power to issue civil citations for any breach of the above
numbered sections, in accordance with the applicable civil disposition
procedure authorizes by Massachusetts General Laws: Marlborough police
officers, Hudson police officers, Fort Meadow Commissioners, authorized
agents of Fort Meadow Commissioners, and any other officers authorized
pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90B, as amended.
Any person who violates any of the above provisions
shall be punished as specified by state law and/or with suspension
of boating rights for a period of time designated by the Commission.
