OFF THE WIRE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yarmouth Residents needed
to speak Against proposed MC Sound Warrant
24 March
2013
In February, the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) learned of a
proposal to be raised at the Yarmouth Selectmen Meeting to hear a proposed bylaw
concerning Motorcycle Sound Levels. The MMMA attended the meeting in
coordination with the Yarmouth Chief-of-Police and Deputy Chief; the result was
convincing the Selectmen that such a Bylaw would be unsuccessful. The Board of
Selectmen voted 4-0 against the bylaw, however the article is on the Town
Warrant to be heard at the Town Meeting on April 1, 2013.
Town Warrant
Article #36 is to be heard on April 1, 2013 at the Yarmouth Town Meeting and
seeks to fine riders $300 if Police Officers cannot see an EPA stamp on the
exhaust, even when parked. In other words, your motorcycle doesn't even need to
be RUNNING!!
The Yarmouth Town Warrant can be viewed here:
http://www.yarmouth.ma.us/archives/
This ill advised
proposal mimics the Boston Ordinance which was enacted under the cover of
darkness without motorcycle representation, but has yet to be enforced anywhere
in the Commonwealth. Further, other attempts to pass such legislation in the
Commonwealth have been struck down as illegal to exceed State Law, either by
Town Officials or by the State's Attorney General. Also, as previously noted,
the Board of Selectmen, the Police Department, and the Town's Legal Advisor do
NOT support this proposed bylaw, but it hasn't deterred angry activists from
pounding the Public Relations Drum with misinformation, accusing YOU of being a
criminal without the benefit of a hearing.
