Parking scofflaws beware. The Select Board voted unanimously at its Aug. 14 meeting to adopt a list of fines for parking violations in town, clearing the way for enforcement to begin as soon as parking tickets are printed. The board voted last year to name Town Administrator Tim Bragan as parking clerk, but tickets could not be printed until the regulations and fines were set. The list of regulations is standard for most Massachusetts towns, according to Bragan, and the fines for most violations are set at $50.
While Massachusetts state law has parking regulations, it is up to towns to adopt, set fines for, and enforce them. The board rejected some state regulations, such as no parking on a roadway “in a rural area or outside a thickly settled district” and prohibiting all-night parking, as not making sense for Harvard. The state’s stepped fine for handicapped parking violations was also rejected by the board in favor of a flat $200 fine.
The impetus for the regulations was public safety. Bragan told the board that one of the current problems is parked cars obstructing roadways during events in the center of town. Select Board member Stu Sklar said he has personally witnessed an ambulance on a call having a difficult time getting through parked vehicles on Pond Road. And Bragan added that the “no parking” signs on Ayer Road across from Dunkin’ Donuts have not stopped drivers from parking there and running across the road to the doughnut shop during busy times.
Select Board member Kara Minar expressed concern over police having to field more calls from irate neighbors over perceived parking violations. But Bragan said the Harvard police typically try to get neighbors to work out issues among themselves. He added that he doesn’t believe the police will be “ticketing for ticketing’s sake.”
Harvard’s schedule of
parking violations and fines
The following list identifies where parking is illegal and the associated fine:
- In a no parking zone: $50
- In an intersection: $50
- On a sidewalk: $50
- In a crosswalk: $50
- On a street within 20 feet of an intersection: $50
- On a street within 10 feet of a fire hydrant: $50
- More than 12 inches from a curb (only applies to parallel parking): $25
- Anywhere that obstructs the flow of traffic: $50
- In front of a private road or driveway: $50
- Along a street if parked vehicle leaves less than 10 feet for passing traffic: $50
- Blocking a fire exit or fire lane: $100
- In a handicapped parking space: $200
- Along a roadway at night unless parking lights are on (no fine identified)
In addition, residents may not move snow or ice onto a roadway if it impedes vehicle traffic or onto a sidewalk if it impedes pedestrian traffic. Violations of this law will result in a $50 fine. And last but not least, residents may not park an unlicensed vehicle displayed for sale on any street; doing so will result in a $50 fine.
Just how far is 20 feet? It may be farther than you think. The van above is parked exactly 20 feet from the intersection of Old Littleton Road and Fairbank Street. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
