ARTICLE 39
Sandra Pond Reservoir Regulations
The Sandra Pond Reservoir and adjacent conservation areas are exclusively owned and maintained by the Town of Westborough. The Sandra Pond Reservoir and adjacent conservation properties are under the explicit control of the Board of Selectmen with preservation authority to the Manager of the Department of Public Works and Bylaw enforcement to the Chief of Police.
Minuteman Park is the narrow strip of land between the Reservoir and Upton Road and is used expressly for passive recreation. The Bowman Street conservation area is a hiking and nature walk area.
The following activities are regulated at the Sandra Pond Reservoir and surrounding property unless specifically allowed by the Board of Selectmen or the Manager of the Department of Public Works:
Section 1. Alcohol is prohibited on all property of the Town of Westborough.
Section 2. Fires are not permitted.
Section 3. Hunting or trapping is prohibited on all property of the Town.
Section 4. Use of the conservation area is limited to foot traffic only. Non-motorized bicycles are permitted in the Minuteman Park.
Section 5. Possession of firearms or discharging same is prohibited unless authorized by the Police Chief.
Section 6. No person(s) shall tamper with or damage any gate, barrier, lock, sign, building, or other property of the Town nor obstruct any roadway in the area.
Section 7. A curfew between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily will be in effect. Any person found on the property during this time may be asked to leave the property. Failure to comply may result in arrest for trespassing.
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AT/ON SANDRA POND RESERVOIR
A. No person(s) shall swim, bathe, or wade in Sandra Pond Reservoir.
B. No person(s) shall boat, canoe, or sail on the Sandra Pond Reservoir.
C. No person(s) shall entice, encourage, or allow a domestic animal to swim, wade, or bathe in Sandra Pond Reservoir.
D. No person(s) shall in any manner dispose of trash or refuse, vegetable waste, chemicals of any kind, or urinate or defecate into Sandra Pond Reservoir or its tributaries.
E. Motor vehicles, motorized equipment or any recreational vehicle, or any structure are prohibited from the ice of the Sandra Pond Reservoir.
F. No person(s) shall land on or take off from the Sandra Pond Reservoir with an airplane, helicopter, ultralight, or hot air balloon unless in an extreme emergency or when the pilot or passengers are in fear of their lives.
PENALTIES: Whoever shall violate any of the above Sections of the Bylaw shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 or more than $100 for each offense. Any Police Officer of the Town of Westborough, upon observing any violation of the above, may arrest without a warrant and bring such person before the appropriate court.
SANDRA POND RESERVOIR FISHING REGULATIONS
Subject to the following regulations a permit is hereby granted for the privilege of fishing in the waters of Sandra Pond Reservoir:
Section 1. Fishing is allowed by residents only who possess a valid Massachusetts Fishing License and a Sandra Pond Fishing Permit (or Stamp) as issued by the Town Clerk. All license-holders must comply with the fishing laws as defined in M.G.L. Chapter 131 and all applicable sections.
Section 2. The Board of Selectmen shall set a yearly permit fee, the receipts of which will go toward the fish-stocking program of Sandra Pond Reservoir.
Section 3. The Board of Selectmen at the request of the Chief of Police shall appoint Wardens to represent the Town for the sole purpose of enforcing the Sandra Pond Reservoir Bylaws.
Section 4. Wardens will not have arrest powers or carry a firearm.
Section 5. Any person found fishing or in violation of Chapter 131 shall provide proof of residency, show identification or proof of licensing upon request of a Warden or Police Officer.
Section 6. A Warden shall immediately notify the Police Department and the police shall respond to any infraction of this Bylaw if the violator does not voluntarily comply with a Warden's enforcement authority.
PENALTIES: Violators of the Fishing Regulations may be removed from the property by the Police Officer and must surrender their Sandra Pond Reservoir Fishing Permit (Stamp) and/or be punished by existing penalties as defined by Massachusetts General Laws. (ATM97)
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