< Back to front page
Text size
–
+
Trane targets late night parties in Somerville
The following was submitted by Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane:
Alderman Robert Trane today (Aug. 26) announced introduction of an ordinance that will give the City of Somerville the authority to directly hold absentee landlords responsible for the costs and social impacts of late night parties and illegal drinking.
Somerville residents have long been plagued by a relatively small group of people who engage in late-night and early-morning parties in disregard of their neighbors’ quality of life. The proposed ordinance will for the first time give the City the ability to recover the costs associated with law enforcement and medical response from absentee landlords and to impose measures such as community service on repeat offenders.
“The proposed ordinance is a common-sense approach to a longstanding quality of life issue in the city,” said Alderman Trane. “It is incumbent on the City of Somerville to create useful mechanisms that encourage landlords to aggressively address tenant issues. This measure is designed to end late-night rowdy parties in our neighborhoods.”
If enacted, the proposed ordinance will impose liability on all absentee property owners, along with party goers, for “public nuisances” that results from unruly gatherings on private property, including excessive noise, obstruction of public ways or sidewalks by crowds, public urination, serving of alcohol to underage youth, public consumption of alcohol, and fighting.
The ordinance also requires that Somerville police notify the senior leadership of any educational institution where students are found to have been drinking illegally or hosting a rowdy party.
Fines will range from $300 to $500 per offense, per offender, and will also allow the City to recover costs from absentee landlords and party hosts related to administration and response associated enforcement of the ordinance.
Absentee landlords will also face between 50 and 75 hours of community service if found in violation of the ordinance.
Alderman Robert Trane today (Aug. 26) announced introduction of an ordinance that will give the City of Somerville the authority to directly hold absentee landlords responsible for the costs and social impacts of late night parties and illegal drinking.
Somerville residents have long been plagued by a relatively small group of people who engage in late-night and early-morning parties in disregard of their neighbors’ quality of life. The proposed ordinance will for the first time give the City the ability to recover the costs associated with law enforcement and medical response from absentee landlords and to impose measures such as community service on repeat offenders.
“The proposed ordinance is a common-sense approach to a longstanding quality of life issue in the city,” said Alderman Trane. “It is incumbent on the City of Somerville to create useful mechanisms that encourage landlords to aggressively address tenant issues. This measure is designed to end late-night rowdy parties in our neighborhoods.”
If enacted, the proposed ordinance will impose liability on all absentee property owners, along with party goers, for “public nuisances” that results from unruly gatherings on private property, including excessive noise, obstruction of public ways or sidewalks by crowds, public urination, serving of alcohol to underage youth, public consumption of alcohol, and fighting.
The ordinance also requires that Somerville police notify the senior leadership of any educational institution where students are found to have been drinking illegally or hosting a rowdy party.
Fines will range from $300 to $500 per offense, per offender, and will also allow the City to recover costs from absentee landlords and party hosts related to administration and response associated enforcement of the ordinance.
Absentee landlords will also face between 50 and 75 hours of community service if found in violation of the ordinance.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Waiting for Twitter to feed in the latest...