CODE OF ORDINANCES

CITY OF

GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

Codified through
Ord. No.  07-21, enacted August 7, 2007.


 


Table Of Contents

 

CODE OF ORDINANCES.. 1

CITY OF. 1

GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS  Codified through Ord. No.  03-34, enacted September 16, 2003. 1

PART I  CHARTER*. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table Of Contents. 2

ARTICLE 1.  INCORPORATION; FORM OF GOVERNMENT; POWERS OF THE CITY  Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 1-1.  Incorporation. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 1-2.  Short Title.  “State Law reference M.G.L., Chapter 43b” - (Approved 12/9/2002) Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 1-3.  Form of Government. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 1-4.  Powers of the City. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 1-5.  Construction. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 1-6.  Intergovernmental Relations. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 2.  LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-1.  Composition; Eligibility; Election and Term. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-2.  Presiding Officer. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-3.  Compensation. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-4.  Prohibitions. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-5.  Exercise of Powers; Quorum; Rules of Procedure. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-6.  Council Access to Information. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-7.  City Clerk; City Auditor. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-8.  Council Staff. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-9.  Council Standing Committees. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-10.  Appointments to City Offices. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-11.  Procedures. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-12.  Delegation of Powers. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-13.  Filling of Vacancies. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 2-14.  General Powers. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 3.  EXECUTIVE BRANCH.. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-1.  Mayor; Qualifications; Term of Office; Compensation; Prohibitions. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-2.  Executive Powers; Enforcement of Ordinances. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-3.  Appointments by the Mayor. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-4.  Certificate of Appointment. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-5.  Removal of Officials. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-6.  Temporary Appointments. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-7.  Administrative Assistant to the Mayor. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-8.  Communications; Special Meetings. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-9.  Approval of Mayor, Exceptions (Veto). Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-10.  Temporary Absence of the Mayor. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 3-11.  Vacancy in Office of Mayor. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 4.  SCHOOL COMMITTEE*. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-1.  Composition; Eligibility; Election and Term. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-2.  Officers of the School Committee. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-3.  General Powers and Duties. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-4.  Prohibitions. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-5.  Filling of Vacancies. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-6.  Exercise of Powers; Quorum; Rules of Procedure. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-7.  Budget Hearing. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-8.  Mayor to be Coordinator. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-9.  Emergency Measures. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 4-10.  School Committee Access to Information. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 5.  PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT*. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 5-1.  The Planning Process. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 5-2.  Planning Board. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 5-3.  Community Development Department. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 5-4.  Designer Selection Committee. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 5-5.  City Building Committee. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 6.  FINANCIAL PROCEDURES*. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 6-1.  Submission of Budget, Budget Message. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 6-2.  Action on the Budget. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 6-3.  Independent Audit. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 7.  ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION*. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-1.  Reorganization Plans by City Council. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-2.  Reorganization Plans by Mayor. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-3.  Publication of Reorganization Plan. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-4.  Multiple-Member Bodies, Composition, Term of Office. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-5.  Expiration of Terms. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-6.  Notice of the Expiration of Terms. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-7.  Information to be Given New Appointees. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-8.  Applications to be Public; Exceptions. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-9.  Meetings with City Council. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-10.  Relations with Standing Council Committees. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-11.  Political Activity. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-12.  Management Audits. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-13.  Annual Report of the City. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-14.  Loss of Office, Excessive Absence. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-15.  Personnel Practices. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-16.  Director of Public Works. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 7-19.  Reports of the City Treasurer. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 8.  NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS*. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 8-1.  City Elections: General and Preliminary. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 8-2.  Nonpartisan Elections. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 8-3.  Preliminary Elections. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 8-4.  Regular Election. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 8-5.  Special Election for Mayor. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 8-6.  Wards. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 8-7.  Application of State Laws. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 9.  FREE PETITION; INITIATIVE; REFERENDUM*. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-1.  Free Petition. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-2.  Citizen Initiative Measures. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-3.  Citizen Referendum Procedures. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-4.  Initiative and Referendum: Ineligible Measures. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-5.  Submission of Proposed Measure to Voters. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-6.  Measures with Conflicting Provisions. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-7.  Advisory Questions to Voters. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 9-8.  Recall -- City of Gloucester. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 10.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-1.  Charter Changes. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-2.  Severability. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-3.  Specific Provisions Shall Prevail. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-4.  Rules and Regulations. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-5.  Reenactment and Publication of Ordinances. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-6.  Procedures. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-7.  Number and Gender. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-8.  References to General Laws. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-9.  Definitions. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 10-10.  Certificate of Election and Appointment; Oath of Office. Error! Bookmark not defined.

ARTICLE 11.  TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 11-1.  Continuation of Existing Ordinances. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 11-2.  Continuation of Government. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 11-3.  Continuation of Administrative Personnel. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 11-4.  Transfer of Records and Property. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 11-5.  Effect on Obligations, Taxes, Etc. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 11-6.  Disposition of Special Laws. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Section 11-7.  Time of Taking Effect. Error! Bookmark not defined.

PART II  CODE OF ORDINANCES.. 29

Chapter 1  GENERAL PROVISIONS.. 29

Sec. 1-1.  How Code designated and cited. 29

Sec. 1-2.  Definitions and rules of construction. 29

Sec. 1-3.  Catchlines of sections. 31

Sec. 1-4.  History notes. 31

Sec. 1-5.  References and editor's notes. 31

Sec. 1-6.  Effect of repeal of ordinances. 31

Sec. 1-7.  Certain ordinances not affected by Code. 32

Sec. 1-8.  Enacting clause of ordinances. 33

Sec. 1-9.  Recordation of ordinances. 33

Sec. 1-10.  When ordinances take effect. 33

Sec. 1-11.  Severability of parts of Code. 33

Sec. 1-12.  Amendments and additions to Code. 33

Sec. 1-13.  Supplementation of Code. 33

Sec. 1-14.  General penalty for violation of Code and ordinances. 34

Sec. 1-15.  Penalty for violation of certain specified sections of Code. 35

Chapter 2  ADMINISTRATION*. 37

ARTICLE I.  GENERAL. 37

Sec. 2-1.  City seal--Design. 38

Sec. 2-2.  Same--Custodian; use. 38

Sec. 2-3.  Disposition of real property owned by the city. 38

Sec. 2-4.  Marking and use of city vehicles. 41

Sec. 2-5.  City Hall--Rules and regulations for letting, use. 41

Sec. 2-6.  Same--Duties of junior custodian. 41

Sec. 2-7.  Student Government Day. 41

Sec. 2-8.  Golden Agers' Day. 42

ARTICLE II.  CITY COUNCIL*. 42

Sec. 2-20.  Constitutes governing body. 42

Sec. 2-21.  Election, composition and term of office. 42

Sec. 2-22.  Legislative powers. 42

Sec. 2-23.  Organization. 42

Sec. 2-24.  Meetings; public hearings, planning review sessions. 42

Sec. 2-25.  Yeas and nays and recording of vote required. 43

Sec. 2-26.  Tax classification, timing and notice. 43

ARTICLE III.  OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES*. 43

DIVISION 1.  GENERALLY. 43

Sec. 2-40.  Records and reports of departments and officers. 44

Sec. 2-41.  Filing statements of money received with auditor. 44

Sec. 2-42.  Filing itemized accounts with auditor. 44

Sec. 2-43.  Official bonds. 44

Sec. 2-44.  Special municipal employees. 44

DIVISION 2.  MAYOR*. 45

Sec. 2-50.  Closing offices; ordering display of flags. 45

Sec. 2-51.  Supervision of municipal insurance. 45

Sec. 2-52.  Signing or approval of contracts, deeds, etc. 46

Sec. 2-53.  Discharge, release or assignment of mortgages. 46

Sec. 2-54.  Compensation. 46

DIVISION 3.  CITY CLERK*. 46

Sec. 2-60.  General duties; permitting removal of records. 46

Sec. 2-61.  Copying and indexing records. 47

Sec. 2-62.  Compensation ordinances to be transmitted to auditor. 47

Sec. 2-63.  Assistant--Office established; appointment; oath; removal. 47

Sec. 2-64.  Same--Duties. 47

DIVISION 4.  CITY TREASURER-COLLECTOR*. 48

Sec. 2-70.  Appointment and term. 48

Sec. 2-71.  Bond. 48

Sec. 2-72.  Department heads and other officers to remit money. 48

Sec. 2-73.  Deposits in banks. 48

Sec. 2-74.  Records to be kept in fireproof safe. 48

Sec. 2-75.  Duty to furnish information to city council and mayor. 48

Sec. 2-76.  Reports from and audit of accounts of city treasurer-collector. 49

Sec. 2-77.  Delivery of books and other property to successor. 49

Sec. 2-78.  Deposits in banks. 49

Sec. 2-79.  General duties. 49

Sec. 2-80.  Receiving office for all taxes. 49

Sec. 2-81.  Collection of debts and claims due city. 49

Sec. 2-82.  Unpaid taxes and local licenses anSec. 2-82d permits. 50

DIVISION 5.  RESERVED*. 52

DIVISION 6.  CITY AUDITOR*. 52

Sec. 2-100.  Appointment and term. 52

Sec. 2-101.  General duties. 52

Sec. 2-102.  Method of keeping accounts. 52

Sec. 2-103.  Report of status of appropriations. 52

Sec. 2-104.  Duty when appropriations are exhausted. 52

Sec. 2-105.  Monthly reports to council. 53

Sec. 2-106.  Annual report to council. 53

Sec. 2-107.  Procedure for payment of bills and accounts against city. 53

Sec. 2-108.  Countersigning and registering bonds; recordation of bonds and notes. 54

Sec. 2-109.  Assistant. 54

DIVISION 7.  INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS*. 54

Sec. 2-115.  Designation. 54

Sec. 2-116.  General duties. 54

Sec. 2-117.  Records and reports. 55

DIVISION 8.  CITY ENGINEER.. 55

Sec. 2-125.  Appointment; term; removal. 55

Sec. 2-126.  General duties. 55

Sec. 2-127.  Custody of instruments, plans, profiles, etc. 55

Sec. 2-128.  Records of surveys. 55

Sec. 2-129.  Ascertainment of street grades, levels, boundaries, etc. 55

DIVISION 9.  CITY ELECTRICIAN*. 56

Sec. 2-135.  Position established; qualifications; term; duties; powers. 56

Sec. 2-136.  Powers and duties relative to fire alarm and police signal systems. 56

Sec. 2-137.  Records. 57

Sec. 2-138.  Annual report. 57

DIVISION 10.  CITY PHYSICIAN*. 57

Sec. 2-145.  Position established; duties. 57

DIVISION 11.  WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AGENT. 57

Sec. 2-155.  Position established. 58

Sec. 2-156.  Appointment and term. 58

Sec. 2-157.  Duties prescribed. 58

Sec. 2-158.  Supervision. 58

ARTICLE IV.  DEPARTMENTS*. 58

DIVISION 1.  GENERALLY. 58

DIVISION 2.  LAW DEPARTMENT. 59

Sec. 2-270.  Organization. 59

Sec. 2-271.  General counsel; appointment, duties; term. 59

Sec. 2-272.  Special counsel; appointment, duties, payment; term. 60

Sec. 2-273.  Assistant to the general counsel; appointment; duties; term. 60

Sec. 2-274.  Travel expenses. 60

DIVISION 3.  DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS*. 60

Sec. 2-280.  Established. 61

Sec. 2-281.  Director of public works--Position confirmed; appointment; term. 61

Sec. 2-282.  Divisions or other units. 61

Sec. 2-283.  General powers and duties. 61

Sec. 2-284.  City motor pool. 62

DIVISION 4.  DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES*. 63

Sec. 2-290.  Established; purpose. 63

Sec. 2-291.  Appointment, qualifications and general powers and duties of director. 63

Sec. 2-292.  Clerks. 63

Sec. 2-293.  Duties. 63

ARTICLE V.  BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES*. 64

DIVISION 1.  GENERALLY. 64

DIVISION 2.  BOARD OF ASSESSORS*. 64

Sec. 2-410.  Composition; appointment and terms of members; organization. 64

Sec. 2-411.  Quorum; majority may act. 65

Sec. 2-412.  General duties. 65

Sec. 2-413.  Office hours. 65

Sec. 2-414.  Call of meetings. 65

Sec. 2-415.  Compliance with law in assessment and apportionment of taxes. 65

Sec. 2-416.  Duties of chairman. 65

Sec. 2-417.  Duties of secretary. 66

Sec. 2-418.  Books and records. 66

DIVISION 3.  BOARD OF HEALTH*. 66

Sec. 2-425.  Composition; appointment, term and removal of members. 66

Sec. 2-426.  Members not compensated. 66

Sec. 2-427.  Selection of chairman. 66

Sec. 2-428.  Rules and regulations. 67

Sec. 2-429.  Appointment of physician to take and examine cultures and school physician. 67

Sec. 2-430.  Employment of clerk and other assistants. 67

Sec. 2-431.  Compensation of clerk and assistants. 67

DIVISION 4.  COUNCIL FOR THE AGING.. 67

Sec. 2-440.  Established; composition; appointment and terms of members. 67

Sec. 2-441.  Members not compensated. 68

Sec. 2-442.  Designation of chairman. 68

Sec. 2-443.  Supervision. 68

Sec. 2-444.  Duties. 68

DIVISION 5.  MARINERS MEDAL COMMITTEE.. 68

Sec. 2-450.  Created. 68

Sec. 2-451.  Composition; appointment and terms of members. 68

Sec. 2-452.  Qualifications of members; city officers not eligible. 69

Sec. 2-453.  Chairman. 69

Sec. 2-454.  Duties. 69

DIVISION 6.  YOUTH SERVICES COMMISSION.. 69

Sec. 2-455.  Established; composition; appointment and terms of members. 69

Sec. 2-456.  Reserved. 70

Sec. 2-457.  Election of chairperson. 70

Sec. 2-458.  Supervision. 70

Sec. 2-459.  Duties. 70

DIVISION 6A.  TOURISM COMMISSION*. 70

Sec. 2-471.  Purpose. 70

Sec. 2-472.  Tenure; composition. 71

Sec. 2-473.  Requirements. 71

Sec. 2-474.  Vacancies. 71

Sec. 2-475.  Assistance of city officials, boards and employees. 71

Sec. 2-476.  Semi-annual reports. 71

DIVISION 7.  DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION*. 72

Sec. 2-491.  Purpose. 72

Sec. 2-492.  Created; membership; terms. 72

Sec. 2-493.  Mission. 72

Sec. 2-494.  Assistance of city officials, boards and employees. 73

Sec. 2-495.  Annual report. 73

DIVISION 8.  HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.. 73

Sec. 2-496.  Policy. 73

Sec. 2-497.  Establishment of the commission; terms; compensation. 74

Sec. 2-498.  Election of chairperson; rules of procedure; quorum. 74

Sec. 2-499.  Purposes of the commission. 74

Sec. 2-500.  Powers and duties. 75

Sec. 2-501.  Commission records. 75

DIVISION 9.  CLEAN CITY COMMISSION.. 76

Sec. 2-502.  Policy. 76

Sec. 2-503.  Establishment of the commission; terms; compensation. 76

Sec. 2-504.  Qualifications of commissioners. 76

Sec. 2-505.  Election of chairperson; rules of procedure; quorum. 77

Sec. 2-506.  Purposes of the commission. 77

Sec. 2-507.  Powers and duties. 77

DIVISION 10.  COMMITTEE FOR THE ARTS.. 77

Sec. 2-508.  Created. 77

Sec. 2-509.  Composition; appointment and terms of members. 78

Sec. 2-510.  Qualifications of members; city officers not eligible except as mayoral designee from time to time. 78

Sec. 2-511.  Chairman. 78

Sec. 2-512.  Assistance of city officials, board and employees. 78

Sec. 2-513.  Duties. 78

ARTICLE VI.  FINANCE*. 79

DIVISION 1.  GENERALLY. 79

Sec. 2-560.  Fiscal year. 79

Sec. 2-561.  Payroll procedure. 79

Sec. 2-562.  Wages for mechanics, chauffeurs and laborers employed by contractors doing work for city. 79

DIVISION 2.  PURCHASING.. 80

Sec. 2-570.  Department established. 80

Sec. 2-571.  Appointment of purchasing agent and clerks; clerks subject to civil service. 80

Sec. 2-572.  Removal of purchasing agent. 80

Sec. 2-573.  Purchasing agent to make all purchases; exception. 80

Sec. 2-574.  When competition required. 80

Sec. 2-575.  Records. 81

Sec. 2-576.  Services or materials supplied by one department to another. 81

DIVISION 3.  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.. 81

Sec. 2-585.  Annual planning; capital improvements advisory board established. 82

Sec. 2-586.  Capital improvements advisory board--Function, composition, appointment, terms of office. 82

Sec. 2-587.  Capital improvement plan. 82

Sec. 2-588.  Scope of division. 83

DIVISION 4.  TRUST FUNDS.. 83

Sec. 2-595.  Custodian. 83

Sec. 2-596.  Board of commissioners of trust funds--Creation; membership; purpose; officers. 83

Sec. 2-597.  Same--Powers and duties; reports. 83

Sec. 2-598.  Huntress Fund--Designation. 84

Sec. 2-599.  Same--Investments and expenditures. 84

Sec. 2-600.  Same--Records and reports of trustees. 84

ARTICLE VII.  CIVIL DEFENSE*. 84

Sec. 2-650.  Short title. 84

Sec. 2-651.  Intent and purpose. 84