Bill > H1869

This bill allows the Commissioner of the Police Department in Springfield, with input from the Director of Public Works (DPW) and the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, to issue licenses for the use of specific public street areas for storing and selling merchandise or food. Applicants must provide detailed personal and business information, prove they've notified adjacent property owners and ground-floor tenants, and obtain certificates of good standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the City Treasurer Collector's Office. The DPW and Health and Human Services departments will review applications for their impact on public passage, order, and health, with potential conditions or disapproval. If the police commissioner and department heads disagree, or if there's an objection from a property owner or tenant, a hearing will be held to determine suitability based on factors like traffic flow, public impact, and public order. Licenses will be valid for up to twelve months, with renewals possible. Initial site assignments will be based on seniority of existing hawkers and peddler license holders, with subsequent assignments and renewals on a first-come, first-served basis. The police commissioner can establish regulations, including operating hours, and can suspend or revoke licenses for violations or if a site becomes unsuitable due to public health or safety concerns, with penalties for violations ranging from fines to disqualification from future licenses. License fees will be charged, and the city will cover parking meters in licensed areas, with licensees paying an additional fee for meter coverage. Each license will receive a non-transferable medallion, and the police commissioner will maintain public records of all actions taken under this section. The bill also allows the police commissioner to designate specific streets where hawkers and peddlers can operate without a license under certain conditions, and prohibits occupying public streets for sale or storage outside of the provisions of this bill.