SOUTHAMPTON — Rather than going to court for a non-criminal violation, a proposed bylaw would allow people to pay a fine at the town clerk’s office.
The community will vote on this initiative and 20 other articles at Town Meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the William E. Norris School cafeteria.
Violations such as littering, overnight parking and drinking of alcohol on pubic grounds are subject to the by-law. The existing fines would remain in place and must be paid within 21 days to the town clerk by mail or in person. Appearing before a district court clerk will still be an option.
If the town approves the by-law, the next step would be approval by the state attorney general’s office.
Also on the warrant is an article proposing the transfer of $8,400 in Commmunity Preservation Act funds to the Historic Commission for restoration of the town clock.
The town will vote to transfer $20,000 to purchase an HVAC system for the library and $6,800 for consulting services for the project.
Other fund transfers address salary budgets in various departments, including $3,200 for the police chief, $15,104 to the building commissioner and $5,608 to the town accountant.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.