It shall be the duty of officers designated by the Chief of
Police to enforce the provisions of these rules and orders. Such officers
are hereby authorized to direct all traffic, either in person or by
means of visible or audible signals, in conformance with the provisions
of these rules and orders, provided that in the event of a fire or
other emergency, to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers
of the Police or Fire Department may direct traffic, as conditions
may require, notwithstanding the provisions of these rules and orders.
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to close temporarily
any street or highway in an impending or existing emergency, or for
any lawful assemblage, demonstration or procession, provided there
is reasonable justification for the closing of such street.
A. Road Closure Policy.
(1) This policy is to streamline the process of requests to close a secondary
road for the purpose of an event, i.e., block party. The applicant
shall fill out a Request for Road Closure Form at the Select Board's
office, including the following information:
(a)
Contact person and active cell phone number (to be on file with
Communications Department).
(c)
Particulars of request, i.e., date, time, purpose.
(d)
Consent of neighborhood residents.
(2) The Request for Road Closure Form shall be forwarded to the Chief
of Police for approval. The Chief of Police shall review the request
and forward it to the Town Manager for his/her approval or denial.
The Chief of Police has the right to require a police detail for the
event should circumstances warrant the need for traffic control/safety
measures. The cost of any police detail shall be the sole responsibility
of the applicant.
(3) The following conditions and restrictions shall apply:
(a)
A point of contact for the event, including active cell phone
number, must be on file with the Communications Center.
(b)
All blockades shall be easily movable, i.e., a barrier. Vehicles
and tables laden with food shall not be used.
(c)
One lane of traffic shall be unobstructed by tables, tents,
chairs, etc., at all times to allow access to the farthest residence
beyond the barricade.
(d)
Entertainment shall cease at 10:00 p.m. or in accordance with
any Town of Groton noise bylaw.
(e)
Cleanup will commence immediately following the event and is
the sole responsibility of the applicant.
(4) Notification shall be made to the applicant by the Chief Police.
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to prohibit, temporarily,
parking on any street or highway or part thereof in an impending or
existing emergency, or for a lawful assemblage, demonstration or procession,
provided there is reasonable justification for such prohibition. Vehicles
parked in places where such parking is prohibited temporarily may
be moved by or under the direction of an officer.
The provisions of these rules and orders shall not apply to
operators actually engaged in work upon a street or highway closed
to travel or under construction or repair, to officers when engaged
in the performance of public duties, nor to drivers of emergency vehicles
while operating in an emergency and in performance of public duties
when the nature of the work of any of these necessitates a departure
from any part of these rules and orders. These exemptions shall not,
however, protect the drivers of any vehicle from the consequences
of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.