[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Millville 11-13-2017 STM by Art. 8. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to the general powers granted to cities and towns by Article 89 of the amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution and the specific powers granted by the Massachusetts General Laws, this bylaw is adopted to remedy nuisances within the Town.
In this bylaw, the following words shall have the following meanings:
BUILDING
A combination of any materials, whether portable or fixed, with exterior walls or firewalls and a roof, built, erected or framed, to form a structure for the shelter of persons, animals, or property. The word "building" shall be construed where the context requires as though followed by the words "or part or parts thereof."
INTERESTED PARTIES
In connection with the notification requirements of this bylaw, interested parties arc the owner(s) of the property which is the subject of the hearing; the Town Administrator or his designee; owners of property directly opposite the subject property on any public or private street or way; abutters of the subject property; and abutters of abutters within three hundred feet of the property line of the subject property. Ownership of land shall be determined by the most recent tax list.
NUISANCE
All public nuisances as known at common law or in equity jurisprudence; and furthermore whatever is dangerous to human life or detrimental to health. Specific conditions which may be characterized as nuisances include, without limitation:
A. 
Burned structures not otherwise lawfully habitable or usable.
B. 
Dilapidated structures.
C. 
Dangerous or unsafe structures.
D. 
Dead, decayed, diseased or hazardous trees, debris or trash.
E. 
Unregistered or abandoned vehicles or discarded vehicle parts which are not reasonably related to a use of the property permitted under current zoning and are not otherwise authorized under Town bylaws.
F. 
Commercial vehicles in excess of that permitted under current zoning bylaws.
G. 
Construction equipment not being diligently employed in permitted construction activity on site in a single-family (RS) zoning district.
H. 
Scrap metal.
OWNER
The recorded title holder to the property, or the authorized agent, assignee or representative of said title holder.
OCCUPANT
The person occupying or in control of such property.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials assembled at a fixed location to give support or shelter such as a building, framework, retaining wall, reviewing stand, platform, bin, fence, sign, flagpole, or mast for an antenna or the like. The word "structure" shall be construed, where the context allows, as though followed by the words "or part or parts thereof."
The Town Administrator shall, upon written complaint, have any condition inspected which may constitute a nuisance. The Town Administrator shall assign the investigation to the Town official who, in the Town Administrator's judgment, is the most appropriate investigating authority.
If, in the opinion of the Town Administrator or his/her designee, the reported condition does constitute a nuisance, his/her designee shall make a written report to the Selectmen of such condition, together with a petition for remedial action, and shall file a copy of the petition with the Town Clerk.
Upon receipt of such petition and report, the Board of Selectmen shall set a date for a hearing before said Board, not more than 30 days after the date of filing of the petition with the Town Clerk.
Notice of said hearing shall be posted, published and sent to all interested parties not less than 14 days before the date of said hearing. Notice of the hearing shall state the subject matter sufficient for proper identification, and the date, time and place of the hearing and shall be made in the following manner:
A. 
Publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town.
B. 
Mailings by first-class mail to the addresses of interested parties.
Within seven days of the hearing, the Selectmen shall determine whether or not the condition constitutes a nuisance, and shall determine what action shall be taken by the owner to remove the nuisance. Such actions may include, but shall not be limited to, abatement or removal of the nuisance at the owner's expense within 24 hours after service of the order, or such other time as may be determined by the Selectmen.
The Town Clerk shall deliver a copy of the order to an officer qualified to serve civil process, who shall forthwith serve an attested copy thereof. Such order shall be in writing and shall be served on the owner in the manner specified by MGL c. 111, § 124, as amended.
An owner or occupant shall forfeit $20 for every day during which he willfully violates such order.
In accordance with MGL c. 139, § 2, a person aggrieved by such order may appeal to the Worcester Superior Court. This civil action must be commenced within three days after the service of the attested copy of the order upon said aggrieved person.
If the owner fails to comply with the order within the time limit given in the order, the Selectmen may cause the nuisance to be removed and all expenses incurred thereby shall constitute a debt due the Town upon completion of the removal and the rendering of an account therefor to the owner, and shall be recoverable from such owner in an action of contract. Any such debt shall constitute a lien on the land upon which the nuisance was located. The Selectmen shall follow the procedures relative to liens provided in MGL, c. 139, § 3A, as amended.