[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Braintree 6-15-2010 by Ord. No.
10-012 (former Ch. 5.12 of the Town Bylaws, which
derived from prior Code Ch. 56); amended in its entirety 3-20-2018 by Ord. No. 18-017.
Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
As defined in this chapter the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A building or place containing five or more amusement games,
as defined herein.
Defined in MGL c. 140, § 177A, as "automatic amusement
device," is defined as "any mechanism whereby, upon the deposit therein
of a coin or token, any apparatus is released or set in motion or
put in a position where it may be set in motion for the purpose of
playing any game involving, in whole or in part, the skill of the
player, including, but not exclusively, such devices as are commonly
known as pinball machines including free play pinball machines." As
used in this chapter, "amusement game" shall not include keno, beano,
bingo, or other like games of chance with cash rewards or prizes,
or any game established or licensed by the Massachusetts State Lottery
Commission. This definition does not include a jukebox, rides, bowling
alleys, or any device maintained within a residence for the use of
the occupants thereof and their guests.
A record owner, contract purchaser, lessee, assignee, bailee,
receiver or trustee.
One or more individuals, a corporation, partnership, association,
trust or firm and any trustee, receiver or assignee.
The Town of Braintree.
A.
No person shall maintain or operate an amusement device without first
obtaining a license from the Board of License Commissioners.
B.
No person shall maintain or operate an amusement device room as the
exclusive use of any premises in the Town. However, an amusement device
room may be allowed as an accessory use to a restaurant or commercial
recreation facility, as those terms are defined by the Town's
Zoning Ordinances, subject to a permit(s) issued by the Board of License
Commissioners, and provided the amusement device room shall occupy
no more than 49% of the total square footage of the licensed restaurant
or no more than 10% of the total square footage of the licensed commercial
recreation facility which is open to the public. For the purposes
of this chapter, the total square footage of the licensed establishment
shall not include the kitchen, employee rooms, utility closets, storage
areas, loading docks, or any other area which is not open to the public.
C.
License fee per amusement device is $100 per year.
D.
Any application for a license will be acted upon after a hearing
before the Board of License Commissioners (the "Board"). The Board
will establish a time and location for such hearing and will notify
the applicant of same.
(1)
Notice of the hearing shall be advertised in a newspaper in
general circulation in the Town at least seven days before the date
set for the hearing.
(2)
The applicant shall provide notice by certified mail to all
owners of property directly abutting the proposed premises for which
the license is sought or directly opposite said premises on any public
or private street, as such owners appear on the most recent tax list,
as certified by the Board of Assessors.
E.
The Board will consider the granting of a license based on the merits
of each application.
F.
A plan shall be filed with the application, designating the street
and number, entrance and exits, the type of establishment and the
exact location and number of the amusement device(s) to be licensed.
G.
When acting upon an application to operate an amusement device room,
the Board of License Commissioners shall consider the following factors:
(1)
The overall type of business conducted on site;
(2)
Whether alcohol is to be served on the premises, and if alcohol
is to be served on the premises, alcohol shall only be sold or served
from fixed locations within the establishment and shall not be served
in the amusement device room;
(3)
The layout of the establishment and amusement device room and
whether the amusement device room is separated from the rest of the
establishment;
(4)
The means by which the applicant proposes to restrict minors
under the age of 18 on the site, unless the parent or guardian of
such minor provides written consent, and/or as required by MGL c.
140, § 179;
(5)
The reputation and character of the applicant and general manager;
and
(6)
The presence and use of public safety details as an integral
part of the establishment's business plan.
A.
The owner of any amusement device within the Town shall comply with
all provisions of law, ordinances, rules or regulations applicable
thereto and relating to the conduct of the business in connection
with which the game is used and the use and maintenance of the premises
where it is located.
B.
The owner of the amusement device shall maintain good order on the
premises at all times. The lack of good order on the premises shall
include but not be limited to the following:
C.
The owner of an amusement device shall not permit it to be played
or operated after 10:00 p.m. by a person under the age of 16 unless
accompanied by and under the supervision of a parent or other guardian
over the age of 21.
D.
The owner of an amusement device shall not allow it to be available
for use or used unless it is under the control of and supervised by
a person at least 18 years of age, who shall ensure that it is operated
in compliance with this chapter.
E.
A person under the age of 16, unless accompanied by and under the
supervision of a parent or other guardian over the age of 21, is not
permitted to operate amusement devices during normal school hours
(as established by the School Committee or appropriate authority)
on weekdays only exclusive of holidays.
F.
No cash awards shall be offered or given in any contest, tournament,
league or individual play on any amusement device, and no such game
shall be permitted.
Any premises in the Town containing an amusement device or devices,
when open for the transaction of business, shall be subject to inspection
by any police officer.
