The Bremen Board of Selectmen unanimously enacted an ordinance governing traffic and parking in the town, when they met Jan. 17.
A public hearing on the matter was held prior to the board’s regular meeting. No one testified at the hearing.
Selectmen Hank Nevins said the ordinance was required by the state to enable enforcement of town-placed traffic controls such as stop signs. Otherwise, he said, stop signs would be only advisory.
The ordinance lists 14 locations for stop signs and creates a schedule of fines for violating portions of the ordinance. The minimum charge for a person who waives the right to appear in court is $75.
Damaging or taking a sign is subject to a minimum $150 fine. The ordinance also empowers selectmen to issue a reward of up to $200 for providing information that leads to the conviction of anyone who violates the ordinance.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is authorized to enforce the ordinance.
Nevins said the ordinance would give the Bremen Fire Department the authority to alter traffic patterns during a fire, emergency or special event. He said speed limits are set by the state and enforced under that authority.
A traffic ordinance is one of the few that selectman can enact without a town-wide vote, Nevins said.
The next meeting of the Bremen Board of Selectmen is Thursday, Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. at the town center. For more information, or to see a copy of Bremen’s traffic and parking ordinance, call or visit the Bremen Town Office at 529-5945.
