Town Bylaws

TOWN OF DEDHAM
REVISED BY–LAWS

2003 EDITION

INDEX

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section1. Citation; Time of Taking Effect

Section2. Continuation of By–Laws; Effect of Repeal

Section3. References to Offices to Include Successors

Section4. Officers Have Right to License or Permit

Section5. By–Laws May Be Repealed

Section6. Enforcement; General Fines Set; Non–Criminal Disposition

Section7. Limitation on Actions

Section8. Definitions

CHAPTER TWO TOWN MEETINGS

Section1. Annual Town Meeting Date Set

Section2. Annual Town Meeting Business Session Date Set

Section3. Hours for Polls Set

Section3A. Inclusion of Articles on Town Meeting Warrants

Section4. Notice of Town Meetings to be Posted and Published

Section5. Report of Finance Committee to be Distributed, to Include Collective Bargaining Agreements

Section6. Notice of Town Meetings to be Mailed to Representatives; Notice of Special Town Meeting to be Given to Finance Committee

Section7. Notice of Adjournment to be Posted

Section8. Town Clerk to Keep Verbatim Record of Town Meeting

Section9. Town Meeting Quorum

Section10. Articles to be Taken Up in Order

Section11. Recommendation of Finance Committee to be Original Motion; Amendments to be in Writing; Procedure for Omnibus Adoption Defined

Section12. Motions May Be Divided

Section13. Precedence of Motions

Section14. Higher Money Amounts to be Voted First

Section15. Spokesperson to Disclose Agency

Section16. Voting to be by Voice; Standing Count if Voice Vote Doubted

Section17. Roll Call May Be Requested

Section18. Speaking More Than Once May Be Regulated

Section19. Duration of Speaking May Be Limited

Section20. Motion to Terminate or Limit Debate to Require Two–Thirds Vote

Section21. Voters and Taxpayers Have Right to Speak

Section22. Reconsideration of Vote Limited

Section23. Reconsideration of Vote at Adjourned Meeting

Section24. Committee Reports

Section25. Town Meeting Not to be Dissolved Until All Articles Acted Upon

Section26. Certain Appropriations to be Considered and Recommended

Section27. Town Meeting to Open With Salute to Flag

Section28. Collective Bargaining Agreements to be Included in Report of Finance Committee

Section29. (Section moved and renumbered to sectioneleven of Chapter Three.)

Section30. Text of Acts for Acceptance to be Included in Report of Finance Committee

Section31. Committee on By–Laws Established; Duties Set

Section32. Two–Thirds Vote

CHAPTER THREE BUDGET PREPARATION

Section1. Finance Committee to be Appointed

Section2. Term of Finance Committee Members

Section3. Finance Committee to Keep Records

Section4. Finance Committee Vacancies

Section5. Town Meeting Articles to be Referred To Finance Committee for Hearing and Report

Section6. Finance Committee to Make Recommendation on Appropriations

Section7. Finance Committee to Have Access to Records

Section8. Capital Expenditures Committee to File Report

Section9. Capital Expenditures Committee

Section10. Departments to Submit Budgets to Comptroller

Section11. Parks and Playgrounds Construction Plans to be Submitted

Section12. Budget Submission Dates

CHAPTER FOUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Section1. Audit to be Made Annually

Section2. Warrants for Payment to be Signed by Comptroller and Selectmen

Section3. Bills to be Approved for Expenditure and Submitted to Comptroller

Section4. Comptroller to Issue Warrants for Payments

Section5. Treasurer to Honor All Proper Warrants

Section6. Town Payroll May Be Paid Weekly

Section7. Petty Cash Accounts Authorized

Section8. All Payments to be By Check

Section9. All Purchases to be By Purchase Order; Comptroller to Give Notice of Liabilities in Excess of Appropriation

Section10. Comptroller to Distribute Statement of Expenditures and Balances

Section11. Expenditures to be Made for Appropriated Purpose Only; Unexpended Balances to be Transferred to Excess and Deficiency Account

Section12. Collector to Collect All Accounts Due Town

Section12A. Collector to Assess Interest on Overdue Accounts

Section13. All Accounts Due to be Committed to Collector

Section14. Collector to Recommend Suits for Collection of Accounts Due

Section15. Collector to Pay Over to Treasurer Weekly; Departments to Pay Over Monthly

Section16. Treasurer to Have Custody of Documents of Ownership

Section17. (Section moved and renumbered to sectionnine of Chapter Three.)

Section18. Fees to be Charged for Use of Town Property and Other Services

Section19. Contributory Retirement System Payments to be Made Monthly

Section20. Licenses May Be Denied to Persons Delinquent in Payments

CHAPTER FIVE CONTRACTS BY TOWN OFFICERS

Section1. Officers With Financial Interest Not to Participate in Contracts

Section2. Contracts to be in Writing and Authorized by Board or Committee

Section3. Performance Bond; Security Deposit

Section4. Contracts Not to Extend More Than One Year Unless Authorized

Section5. Competitive Bidding Required; Procedures Defined

Section6. Disposal of Surplus Equipment; Bidding Procedure

Section7. Borrowing for More Than Two Years to Require Bids

Section8. Procedure Governing the Submission of Competitive Bids and Bid openings

CHAPTER SIX LEGAL AFFAIRS

Section1. Selectmen to be Agents of Town

Section2. Selectmen Authorized to Settle Claims

Section3. Town Counsel to Report Status of Actions

Section4. Selectmen to Appoint Town Counsel

Section5. Duties of Town Counsel

Section6. Treasurer to Execute Deeds and Transfers of Interests

Section7. Qualifications for Town Counsel

CHAPTER SEVEN TOWN RECORDS AND REPORTS

Section1. Town Officers, Board and Committees to Keep Records Open to Public

Section2. Comptroller to Keep Records of Insurance, Bonds and Indebtedness

Section3. Departments to Report on Expenditures for Town Report

Section4. (Section moved and renumbered to sectionten of Chapter Three.)

Section5. Report of Treasurer Detailed

Section6. Report of Comptroller Detailed

Section7. Selectmen to Publish Annual Town Report; Report Detailed

Section8. By–Laws, Rules and Regulations, Assessors' Evaluations to be Printed

Section9. Annual Town Report to be Available, Delivered to Town Representatives

Section10. Annual Departmental Reports to be Filed with Town Clerk as Public Records

Section11. Use and Dissemination of Information Regulated

CHAPTER EIGHT TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

Section1. Town Administrator Responsible for Town Offices

Section2. Town Offices to be Leased Only by Vote of Town

Section3. Police Officer May be Present for Licensed Use

Section4. Town Buildings Not to be Used for Forbidden Purpose

Section5. Administrator's Compensation

Section6. Administrator's Qualifications

Section7. Town Administrator to Negotiate Employee Contracts

Section8. Town Vehicles to be Marked

Section9. Town Administrator to Place All Insurance

Section10. Town Administrator May Submit Articles for Town Meeting

CHAPTER NINE CEMETERIES

Section1. Town Administrator to Have Charge of Cemeteries

Section2. Free Public Burial to be Available; Cemetery to be Laid Out, Maintained

Section3. Town Administrator Authorized to Sell Cemetery Lots

Section4. Proceeds from Sale of Lots and Graves to be Reserved for Appropriation

Section5. Gifts for Care of Cemeteries

Section6. Gifts to be Deposited in Perpetual Care Fund

Section7. Cemetery Advisory Committee Established

Section8. Cemetery Committee Duties

CHAPTER TEN SHUTTLEWORTH FUND

Section1. Fund to be Kept Separate; Principal Not to be Expended

Section2. Fund Investment to be Approved by Commissioners of Trust Funds

Section3. Treasurer to Have Custody of Fund; Commissioners of Trust Funds to Order Expenditures

Section4. Fund Transactions to be Done by Treasurer

CHAPTER ELEVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Section1. Board of Trustees to Have Custody of Library

Section2. Regular and Special Meetings

Section3. Trustees to Organize and Appoint Librarian

Section4. Finance Committee to Keep Financial Records, Invest Library Fund and Approve Expenditures

Section5. Treasurer to Have Custody of Library Funds

Section6. Financial Transactions to be Done by Treasurer

Section7. Board of Trustees to be Responsible for Staffing

Section8. Trustees to Submit Annual Report

CHAPTER TWELVE TOWN WAYS AND STREET LIGHTING

Section1. Commissioner of Public Works to Administer Public Ways

Section2. Notice of Intention to Lay Out or Change Public Way to be Published

Section3. Excavations Within Public Way Regulated

Section3A. Construction of Access Ways onto Public Ways Regulated

Section4. Vehicles Interfering With Snow Removal May Be Removed and Stored

Section5–8 (None)

Section9. Selectmen May Adopt Traffic and Parking Regulations

Section10. Department of Public Works

CHAPTER THIRTEEN POLICE REGULATIONS

Section1. Second–Hand Businesses Regulated

Sections2–6. (None)

Section7. Posting of Circulars on Public Ways and Private Premises Regulated

Section8. Posting of Circulars on Vehicles Regulated

Section9. Moving of Buildings on Public Ways Regulated

Section10. Firecrackers, Discharge of Firearms Prohibited

Section11. Indecent, Disorderly Conduct Prohibited on Public Ways

Section12. (None)

Section13. Defacing, Destroying Lawful Notice Prohibited

Section14. Loitering on Stoops, Walls Prohibited

Section15. Sledding on Pubic Ways and Places Regulated

Section16. Dangerous Conduct on Public Ways Prohibited

Section17. Placing Trash, Chemicals Upon Public Way Prohibited

Section18. Indecent Exposure, Graffiti Prohibited

Section19. Keeping of Swine Regulated

Section20. Slaughter Houses, Piggeries Regulated

Section21. Trash Collectors To Be Licensed; No Land To Be Filled With Rubble

Section22. Parades, Performances in Public Ways Regulated

Section23. Evading Taxi, Bus Fare Prohibited

Section24. Trespassing, Peeping Toms Prohibited

Section25. Bonfires in Public Ways Regulated

Section26. Fires, Transport of Inflammable Materials on Public Ways Prohibited

Section27. Gaming in Public Ways and Places Prohibited

Section28. Willful Destruction of Public Property Prohibited

Section29. Climbing Trees in Public Ways and Places Regulated

Section30. Tampering with Public Drinking Fountain Prohibited

Section31. Discharge of Firearms Regulated

Section32. Soliciting Money in Public Ways, Door–to–Door Regulated

Section33. Sales Booths in Public Ways and Places Regulated

Section34. Riding Horse on Sidewalk Prohibited

Section35. Possession of Toy Pistols on Public Ways Prohibited

Section36. Obstruction of Passage on Public Ways Prohibited

Section37. Throwing Snow on Cleared Way Prohibited

Section38. Leakage of Liquids During Transport on Public Ways Prohibited

Section39. Abandonment of Vehicles; Disposition of Non–Operating Vehicles

Section40. Use of Motorized Recreational Vehicles Regulated

Section41. Consuming Intoxicating Beverages Within Public Way or on Public Property Prohibited; Disorderly, Offensive Conduct Prohibited

Section42. Retail Sale of Food and Alcoholic Beverages Regulated

Section42A. Hours of Retail Sales Regulated

Section43. Security Alarm Systems Regulated; False Alarm Penalties

Section44. Trespass upon Parks After Hours Prohibited

Section45. (None)

Section46. Retail Promotional Events Regulated

Section47. Dumpsters Regulated

Section48. (None)

Section49. Restaurant Sewage Disposal Regulated

Section50. Fines for Violations of Truck Ban

Section51. Fire Lanes Established; Obstruction of Fire Lane Prohibited

Section52. Handicapped Parking Areas Established; Misuse Prohibited

Section53. Parking of Commercial Vehicles in Residential District Regulated

Section54. Selling and Soliciting Money Upon or Abutting Public Ways Regulated

Section55. No Liquor License To Be Held Where Sexual Conduct Permitted

Section55A. Visual Displays of Sexual Conduct Prohibited

Section55B. Violators of Laws Barred From Licensed Premises

Section56. Sale of Imitation Handguns Regulated

Section57. Operating Hours Under Licenses Regulated

Section58. Sales of Novelties Prohibited

Section59. (None)

Section60. Strings of Lights

Section61. Sound Equipment, Alarms Regulated

CHAPTER FOURTEEN PERSONNEL, WAGE AND SALARY ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER FIFTEENPLUMBING

Section1. Administration

Section2. Operations

Section3. Rates

Section4. Sewer Line Construction and Maintenance

Section5. Assessment of User Charges

CHAPTER SIXTEEN BUILDING CODE

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN WIRING CODE

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN ZONING BY–LAWS

CHAPTER NINETEEN TOWN INSURANCE

CHAPTER TWENTY ENDICOTT ESTATE COMMISSION

Section1. Estate to be Used by Residents for Recreation and Education

Section2. Town Administrator to Have Responsibility for Estate

Section3. Endicott Estate Commission Established

Section4. Terms of Commissioners Set; Commission to Organize

Section5. Commission to Make Rules and Regulations for Use of Estate

Section6. Commission to Make Recommendations on Uses of Estate

Section7 Estate Manager

CHAPTER TWENTY–ONE YOUTH COMMISSION

Section1. Youth Commission Established; Terms Set

Section2. Duties of Commission

Section3 Commission to Appoint Staff

Section4 Administration

CHAPTER TWENTY–TWO COUNCIL ON AGING

Section1. Council on aging Established; Terms Set

Section2. Duties of Council

Section3 Council to Appoint Staff

Section4 Administration

CHAPTER TWENTY–THREE DOG CONTROL

Section1. Duties of Dog Officer

Section2. Disturbing the Peace

Section3. Complaint of Annoyance; Investigation

Section4. Licensing

Section5. Restraint of Dogs

Section6. Penalties

CHAPTER TWENTY–FOUR HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Section1. Name

Section2. Purpose

Section3. Historic Districts Commission

Section4. Commission Powers

Section5. Historic Districts

Section6. Severability

CHAPTER TWENTY–FIVE RECYCLING COMMITTEE

CHAPTER TWENTY–SIX BUILDING, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

Section1. Establishment

Section2. Term of Committee Members Set; Department Head to be Ex–Officio

Section3. Committee to Survey Town Needs

Section4. Committee to Determine Building Needs and Make Recommendation

Section5. Committee to Supervise Authorized Work

Section6 Scope of Chapter Defined

CHAPTER TWENTY–SEVEN SIGN CODE

Section1. Purpose

Section2. Authority

Section3. Applicability and Effect

Section4. Definitions and Interpretation

Section5. Administration

Section6. General Regulations

Section7. Permitted Signs and Standards, Design and Construction

Section8. Nonconforming Signs and Signs Without Permits

Section9. Violations

Section10. Enforcement and Remedies

Section11. Appeals

Section12. Severability

Table1 Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District

Table2 Sign Dimensions and Locations

Table3 Maximum Heights for Freestanding Signs

CHAPTER TWENTY–EIGHT WETLANDS PROTECTION

Section1. Purpose

Section2. Definitions

Section3. Jurisdiction

Section4. Exceptions

Section5. Application for Permits and Requests for Determination

Section6 (None)

Section7. Notice and Hearings

Section8. Coordination with Other Boards

Section9. Permits, Determinations and Conditions

Section10. Regulations

Section11. Security

Section12. Enforcement

Section13. Burden of Proof

Section14. Appeals

Section15. Relation to the Wetlands Protection Act

Section16. Severability

Section17 Filing Fee Schedule for Permits for Work Within the Resource Areas or 100 Foot Buffer Zone to any Resource Area Protected by the Bylaw

CHAPTER TWENTY–NINE FEES RELATING TO THE CLERK

CHAPTER THIRTY OPEN SPACE PLANNING AND PROTECTION

CHAPTER THIRTY–ONE NUMBERING OF BUILDINGS

Section1. Assigning Numbers For Buildings

Section2. Assigning Numbers For Land

Section3. Determination of Number

Section4. Current Numbering

Section5. Numbering Order

Section6. Notice of Number Change

Section7. Grace Period

Section8. New Buildings

Section9. Violation and Penalty

Section10. Enforcement

CHAPTER THIRTY–TWO DEDHAM CIVIC PRIDE COMMITTEE

Section1. Establishment

Section2. Term; Compensation

Section3. Officers

Section4. Duties

CHAPTER THIRTY–THREE RECYCLING ACCESS—RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS/APARTMENT COMPLEXES

Section1. Manager to Supply Containers

Section2. Dumpsters to Comply with By–Laws

Section3. Failure to Comply

Section4. Penalties

CHAPTER THIRTY–FOUR DEDHAM CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Section1. Establishment

Section2. Term; Compensation

Section3. Officers

Section4. Duties

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE FEES FOR FIRES AND POLICE DETAILS

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Back to Index