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(3-2-26 Document #3) Explanation of Articles 27 and 28

Budgets & Finance · Record date 2026-03-02 · Record 910322d435273a8215

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Saved text from 1 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original. Retrieved 2026-10-15.

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Cnn of Canton, Massachwactts
BUILDING DEPARTMENT

LOWER LEVEL MEMORIAL HALL

801 WASHINGTON STREET                    BUILDING DIVISION
BUILDING COMMISSIONER               CANTON, MA O2021                     ELECTRICAL DIVISION
EDWARD T. WALSH       TEL: (781) 821-SO03    FAX: (781) 575-6574         PLUMBING/GAS DIVISION

MEMORANDUM

TO:                 Finance Committee
Randy Scollins, Finance Director

FROM:           Ed Walsh, Building Commissioner ~~»

2 ne
DATE:             February 22, 2026
SUBJECT:         Warrant Articles 27 & 28

Article 27: Amend General By-Law Article XIV Sections 2 OBSTRUCTIONS OF PUBLIC WAYS &
SIDEWALKS.

Hopefully, this modification will enable the town to provide/maintain safety of public ways. We need to
prevent the obstruction streets, sidewalks, fire hydrants or any publicly owned ways.

The current legal process is drawn out and lengthy, which results in excess expenses to the town.

As an example, we had an unregistered camper on Carver Circle, and we are currently in the courts
regarding another person obstructing the public ways.

MGL 86 Section does permit the town to remove any obstruction on town owned land. This
amendment to the General By-Laws adds the cost of removal as the responsibility of the offender.

We may want to add closing language to state “the town shall not be held responsible for any damages
to obstructions, which are removed from the public way and sidewalks”.

Article 28: Amend General By-Law Article XVI Section 4 TAILER BYLAW

This by-law was added to the General By-Laws in 1957. It appears the intent of the by law was to
prevent mobile homes from being placed in residential lots.

Many residents currently own MA registered campers & trailers. This would allow these vehicles
(trailers/campers) to be parked on a resident’s driveway or on a lawn satisfying our zoning setbacks for
the primary dwelling.

Most driveways do not satisfy the town’s setback requirements. Therefore, many campers parked in a
resident’s driveway create a violation of this by-law. This would allow residents more flexibility to park
their trailers/vehicles and comply with both our general by-laws and zoning by-laws.