SOUTHAMPTON — A new bylaw for non-criminal violations was approved Tuesday at a special Town Meeting.
Rather than going to court for civil offenses such as dog violations, littering and overnight parking, the bylaw allows those offenses to be handled through ticketing paid to the town clerk by mail or in person within 21 days.
“As long as they pay it within a certain amount of time, it stays out of the criminal system,” Town Administrator Heather Budrewicz said.
The town also approved $47,176 to be transferred from Community Preservation Act funds for upcoming projects. The majority — $37,776 — will go to the Greenway Committee to fund legal, engineering and other costs of developing a “greenway” on a former railbed in town.
Other projects to receive CPA funding include:
$8,400 to the Historical Commission to fund the restoration of the town clock
$1,000 for a wildlife interpretive sign in memory of Edward Nied Jr., a Southampton photographer who died in 2013 after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a bear.
The sign will be placed at Szczypta Farm Conservation Area and will feature wildlife photographs by Nied.
Town Meeting also rejected proposals to increase the salaries of the building commissioner by $15,000 a year and town accountant by $5,608 a year, as well as $5,000 for a consultant to help in the hiring of a new town administrator.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.