All Town owned motor vehicles must be clearly
marked with permanently affixed decals, special painting, or the Town
Seal. Any leased motor vehicles must be clearly marked with affixed
decals. Any exceptions are to be granted by the Board of Selectmen.
All municipal employees or persons with individuals
conducting municipal business, or work of any sort or kind, and all
passengers while in municipally owned motor vehicles, or privately
owned vehicles when on Town business, shall be required to wear and
utilize safety belts and/or occupant protection devices subject to
exceptions noted in M.G.L. c.90; § 13A (e).
All employees authorized to use Town owned motor
vehicles must maintain a valid driver's license in his or her possession
and that right to operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts is valid.
The Town Administrator shall require that a photocopy of the current
license be kept on file in the personnel file. All employees are required
to notify their immediate supervisor who is to notify the Town Administrator
of any change in the status of their license.
The Town functions under a zero tolerance policy.
Employees shall not operate municipal vehicles under the influence
of alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription drugs which may interfere
with effective and safe operation. Violation of this policy shall
result in immediate dismissal.
Employees driving municipal vehicles shall obey
all applicable traffic and parking regulations, ordinances and laws.
A. Employees who incur parking or other fines in municipal
vehicles will generally be personally responsible for payment of such
fines unless the payment of such fines by the Town is approved by
the Town Administrator.
B. Employees who are issued citations for any offense while using a Municipal vehicle must notify their supervisor immediately when practicable, but in no case later than 48 hours. Failure to provide such notice will be grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Article
VIII of this policy.
C. An employee who is assigned a municipal vehicle and
who is arrested for or charged with a motor vehicle offense for which
the punishment includes suspension or revocation of the motor vehicle
license, whether in his or her personal vehicle or in a municipal
vehicle, must notify his or her supervisor immediately when practicable,
but in no case later than 48 hours. Conviction for such an offense
may be grounds for loss of municipal vehicle privileges and/or further
disciplinary action.
The use of the marked motor vehicle outside
the limit of the police officer's arrest powers or the firefighter's
obligation to respond to an emergency, other than commuting to and
from work, is prohibited. Any personal use of the unmarked motor vehicle
must be authorized by the department head or the Town Administrator.
Use for vacation trips or recreation trips cannot qualify as an authorized
use.
The Town Administrator, Police Chief, Fire Chief
and the Director of Public Works, with respect to their positions
shall be permitted to take Town vehicles home and as such are allowed
to use the vehicle for commuting. This vehicle is not to be used for
personal purposes, other than commuting and de minimis personal use.
Employees authorized to use privately owned
motor vehicles to perform inspectional services on behalf of the Town,
and employees authorized by a department head for nonlocal use on
official municipal business, shall be paid at the rate per mile which
is consistent with Internal Revenue regulations. This requires prior
approval of the department head.
Any employee must report any damage to a Town
owned motor vehicle immediately to his/her department head or the
Town Administrator. Accident reports must be filed with the Town Administrator's
office within 24 hours of the damage.
Failure to comply with any and all provisions
of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including
removal of Town vehicle privileges, suspension and/or termination
from Town service.