Latest news with #MassachusettsGeneralLaws
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Living with bears: Can you kill a bear that comes into your yard in Massachusetts? See law
In Massachusetts, residents must coexist with wildlife like coyotes, deer, foxes and even black bears. Sometimes, these animals can cause problems, like vandalizing your garden or damaging your property. There are many ways to deal with these pesky critters - and one is more intense than the others. Massachusetts law allows landowners to kill a wild animal caught in the act of damaging their property. But the MassWildlife says that should be used as a last resort and that there are other ways to prevent conflicts with bears and other wildlife. Is it legal to shoot an animal in my yard? Even a bear? Under Chapter 131, Section 37 of the Massachusetts General Laws, landowners or tenants, as well as authorized members of their immediate families or persons permanently employed by the landowner, may kill, hunt or take by other means any mammal or wild bird they find damaging their property. Landowners are not allowed to kill by poison or snare or set traps without a permit when it's not the open season. The killing must also not violate any federal law or regulation. The law does not specify what constitutes as damage under the law – except that damage to grass growing on uncultivated land does not count – so it's up to the discretion of Massachusetts Environmental Police officers in the field. Some examples of when this law is used include when wild animals, such as a bear, damage crops, tree nurseries or beehives, or when they kill livestock or backyard chickens (which count as property). Killed animals must be turned over or reported to the environmental police. There are cases of homeowners killing a bear, such as a 2022 incident in Middleton when a bear killed chickens and goats and a 2024 shooting that orphaned four cubs in Athol when a bear was trying to break into a chicken coop. However, MassWildlife considers the use of this law as a last resort, stressing there are other steps homeowners can take first. How to prevent human-animal conflicts Instead of killing a wild animal, MassWildlife encourages taking measures to prevent conflicts in the first place. To prevent animals from destroying your garden, they suggest excluding wildlife through a physical barrier, like fencing around a garden, or scaring them off with a scarecrow. They also suggest closing off structures that may be used as shelter for wildlife on your property. You can also use repellents, like cayenne pepper or predator urine, but MassWildlife says this is less effective. Other proactive measures to stop animals from coming into your backyard include removing bird feeders, securing garbage, and using electric fencing to protect backyard chickens, livestock and beehives. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Living with bears: Is it legal to shoot a bear in your yard in MA? Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Is it illegal to scare a pigeon in Massachusetts? You could face jail time
Don't sneak up on a pigeon in Massachusetts – you could go to jail. It's true: a law over 250 years old prohibits frightening pigeons or face jail time or a fine. It's one of many antiquated laws still on the books in Massachusetts that may no longer pertain to modern life. Others include a ban on cursing at sports games and a fine for publicly butchering the 'Star Spangled Banner.' Luckily, these days you're unlikely to be prosecuted for those offenses. What is the law against scaring pigeons? Section 132, Chapter 266 of the Massachusetts General Laws bans purposely killing or frightening pigeons from someone else's trap or net. Violators of the law could be subject to imprisonment of up to a month or a fine of up to $20 and would be liable for any damages to the owner of the traps. The law no longer makes much sense in current day, but Massachusetts Historical Society librarian and Chief Historian Peter Drummey told BU Today in 2014 that the law was applicable when it was passed in 1848, as pigeons were used then for food and for target shooting. He called it a 'sort of hunter-trapper protection law.' While this law may now be obsolete, Massachusetts still has laws protecting hunting rights. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Is it illegal in MA to scare a pigeon? You could face jail time
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Karen Read verdict: What is OUI and will Read go to jail on only charge she is convicted of?
Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in her retrial for the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The 45-year-old was, however, convicted of operating under the influence of liquor (OUI), a lesser included offense under the manslaughter charge. OUI, or Operating Under the Influence, in Massachusetts refers to driving a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or while visibly impaired, per Massachusetts General Laws. In Karen Read's case, the OUI conviction relates to her driving on the night of O'Keefe's death, with her BAC estimated at 0.09% hours later, though the defense argued she continued drinking after returning home. The jury's focus on the OUI charge, evident in questions about its timeframe (12:45 a.m. or 5:00 a.m.), suggests they believed she drove under the influence but did not cause O'Keefe's death. For a first-time OUI offense in Massachusetts, penalties typically include a fine of $500–$5,000, a license suspension of up to one year, and either up to 2.5 years in jail or probation. Read was sentenced to one year of probation and the '24D program', an alcohol education course standard for first-time offenders.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet the three candidates running for Harwich Select Board
Harwich Select Board has three candidates vying for two seats on the board at the town election scheduled for Tuesday, May 20. Kathryn McManus, Mark Kelleher, and Anita Doucette are all in the running. Incumbents Julie Kavanagh and Michael MacAskill are not running for a new term. The Times asked the candidates for biographical information and answers to four questions, listed here in alphabetical order by last name. AGE: 72 TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 59 years WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Retired Harwich Town Clerk EDUCATION: Extensive Course Work Resulting in Certification as a Master Municipal Town Clerk - Graduate of Harwich High School CIVIC EXPERIENCE: I began my service in the Town Clerk's office as a Registrar of Voters and then as Assistant Town Clerk, I was first elected Town Clerk in 1992 and retired in 2022 after 30 years in that position. Prior service includes serving on the Recreation & Beach Commission and as long-time member and president of the Harwich Junior Women's Club. Currently, serving as a member of the ByLaw/Charter Review Committee and President of the Harwich Historical Society. The strengths: are all the dedicated town employees, along with all those who volunteer their countless hours to serve on the town boards, committees and commissions. The weakness is the shortage of affordable housing. a) The immediate priority would be to select a new town administrator b) The town charter c) The preservation of the history of this community In hiring a new town administrator, we should be looking for one who understands that he or she works for the entire town and not just members of the Select Board. Also, staff recruitment and volunteer retention are essential in providing an environment that respects our staff and our citizens. The town charter was first adopted in 1987 and has had numerous piecemeal revisions over the years, as well as a comprehensive revision in 2006. As a 20-year member of the By-Law/Charter Review Committee, which is merely advisory to the Select Board, I believe it is time for an independent top-to-bottom review of the document. This could even include consideration of possible changes at the administrative/executive level, something that under Massachusetts General Laws can only be accomplished by an elected Charter Commission. Presently serving as the president of the Harwich Historical Society and having served for 30 years as the town clerk I respect the rich history of this community which needs to be preserved for future generations. A community's history encompasses its past, shaping its present and influencing its future. Understanding this history helps its identity, its current challenges, and its potential for the future. I have deep knowledge and understanding of Town government that has been acquired over my 50 plus years of municipal and volunteer experience towards making informed and unbiased decisions for Harwich. AGE: 73 TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: 15 yrs in Harwich, 28 years on the Cape WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Retired. Educator, Plymouth Public Schools. Project Manager for O'Connell Management, Boston. Managed various projects including Bayside Expo, World Trade Center and Marina Bay. EDUCATION: B.S. UMass-Amherst, M.A. Bridgewater University CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Harwich Housing Authority (3 years). Harwich Finance Committee (4 years). Capital Outlay Committee There's a need for decisive action to address our wastewater, school and housing issues and for greater outreach by town officials. Better governance will improve communication and reduce costs. Better governance, supporting our schools, and affordable housing. Better Governance: Reduced turnover of town staff by ensuring a supportive and stable work environment; Finance Director in place and committed to town; Town's debt schedules and financial commitments forecasted out 10 years or more; Improved communications to residents through a town newsletter. Supporting our schools: Maintain instructional quality and excellence for our students; Renegotiating the school assessment formula for capital and instructional costs for long term stability for the schools. Affordable Housing: Advocating for smaller, thoughtfully designed cluster housing to meet community needs without compromising town character; Encouragement of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and prioritizing entry level homeownership. I'm running for town Select Board to bring clear, effective, and responsible leadership to our community. Harwich deserves thoughtful solutions, transparent governance, and sustainable progress. AGE: 36 TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Harwich LENGTH OF RESIDENCE: from 2000-2010, 2020-2022, and 2023-present WORK/EMPLOYMENT: Business Coach, self employed EDUCATION: Harwich High School, Umass Dartmouth: majors Philosophy & French CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Volunteered with channel 18 in high school, served on the Historical Society Commission, volunteered with SF Safe in California where we worked to make the city safer with the police department, and I've volunteered in numerous campaigns - namely Sarah Peake, Julian Cyr, Hadley Luddy, and Elizabeth Warren. Harwich's greatest strengths are our people and our beautiful natural environment. I've lived in a lot of places, and I've never experienced the same level of civic engagement and sense of community that we've cultivated here. The people who choose to live here are passionate small-business owners, artists, hardworking families, and retirees who are all deeply invested in the future of our small town. And it's no wonder our residents are so invested, when they live in such a beautiful location. From our beaches and ponds, to our conservation land, and local historical architecture, Harwich is such a special place to live and visit. At the same time, we're facing real challenges. We're in the middle of a serious housing crisis. It's becoming increasingly challenging for young families, year-round workers, and our aging residents to find housing and afford the ever-increasing cost of living. We need to develop a thoughtful, long-term strategy to address housing, economic development, climate resilience, and infrastructure. Our greatest opportunity is to bring more people into the conversation so we can make smart decisions that serve all of Harwich. My number 1 issue is housing. We need to collaborate with local developers and landlords to increase the inventory of available year round housing. At town meeting Charlotte Skinner, an 11th grader from Monomoy High School said that 32.4% of her classmates experience housing insecurity. That is unacceptable. As a town, we also need to invest in creating housing specifically for our municipal employees — who cannot afford to live here on what we pay them. Businesses are also struggling. Currently, many business owners are having to cut their open hours during the busy season because they cannot hire enough employees — because they cannot afford to live here. They're also facing a looming dip in tourism this year, as many countries are advising their people to not travel to the US, as well as facing increased costs as tariffs hit. And last but certainly not least — we need to find more innovative solutions to protecting our environment. We live in a unique and delicate ecosystem. We've already seen some of the impact of climate change, but more is coming. And it's a lot easier and cheaper to protect the environment now, then to try to restore it later. The town needs to become far more active in creating housing options for residents. The strategy of waiting for the housing market to correct itself all on its own, and provide more affordable and attainable units, has not been successful, it's time for the town to do something. I propose several things; developing housing on ecologically sturdy, town owned land, partnering with developers to produce more affordable units, and facilitating building of ADUs, and incentivizing transitioning short-term rentals to year round. The housing issue impacts our business as well. Our seasonal businesses need a common sense solution to housing their seasonal workforce. There are some great examples of this being done privately. When I worked at Wequassett in college, many of my colleagues lived at their employee summer lodging. But most businesses can't afford to do something at that scale. I would like to develop a program that connects our seasonal workforce with housing, and as a result allows our business owners to make the most of the short tourist season. We're lucky to have so many organizations that already do great work to protect our environment, and to have strong relationships with them. That said, there's a great deal of funding available to us in the form of state grants, that we're not going after. I would push the town to hire a grant writer so we can apply for, and leverage that capital to fund environmental protection projects, as well as go after the Climate Leader program. I bring a unique blend of strategic thinking, real-world business experience, and deep community commitment that makes me a strong candidate for Harwich Select Board. As a small-business owner, I understand how to navigate budgets, make tough decisions, and create systems that work—skills that directly translate to responsible town governance. I've built my career helping others grow their businesses and solve complex problems, which gives me a practical, solution-oriented mindset. I also bring strong communication and collaboration skills. I know how to listen deeply, bring people together, and move from conversation to action. I believe good leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about knowing how to ask the right questions and work with others to find the best path forward. Finally, I care deeply about this town. I grew up here, and I'm running because I want Harwich to thrive—not just for some, but for all. I bring integrity, empathy, and a long-term vision for our future. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Three candidates vie for seat on Harwich Select Board. Meet them here
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police: Swansea man filmed teenage girl in Target changing room; faces child porn charge
A Swansea man was arrested on April 30 on charges of peeping at a female teenager and capturing video of her nude while she was in the changing room at Target. He is due to be arraigned May 1 in Fall River District Court. The 25-year-old man faces charges of photographing sexual or intimate parts of a child, possession of child pornography and disorderly conduct. Swansea police said around 8 p.m. on April 28, officers responded to the Target at 579 GAR Highway after receiving a report that a young woman was filmed in the fitting room. Police said the young woman is 17. Underage sex trafficking: Fall River cop pleads not guilty to charges Police said an investigation involving review of surveillance video and tips from the public via social media led them to the suspect. He was arrested at his home in Swansea and his cellphone was seized as evidence. Swansea Police Detectives Jonathan Furtado and Charles Rowland and Officer Scott Stavens led the investigation. 'This kind of invasive and disturbing behavior has no place in our community,' Chief Mark Foley said. 'We take incidents like this very seriously and will always work to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. I'm proud of the swift and diligent work of our Detectives, Furtado and Rowland, and Officer Stavens. They acted quickly and conducted a thorough investigation that resulted in the identification and arrest of the suspect.' The charges of photographing a child's sexual parts and possession of child pornography are felonies. Per Massachusetts General Laws, the latter charge carries a sentence of up to five years in state prison or 2½ years in the Bristol County House of Correction. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Swansea man accused of peeping, filming girl in Target changing room
