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Sponsor presses for e-bike bylaw after limited police input; Finance Committee recommends Article 33
Summary
A proposed Saugus bylaw to regulate electric bicycles and motorized micromobility devices — including graduated administrative fines — was recommended 8-0 by the Finance Committee; the sponsor said town counsel reviewed form but legal review would be by the Attorney General and that the police chief did not respond to a request for comments.
Town Meeting member Liz Marchese told the Saugus Finance Committee April 22 that she sponsored Article 33, a comprehensive bylaw to regulate classes of electric bicycles and other motorized micromobility devices operating on town streets and property.
Marchese said she submitted the draft to town counsel, who reviewed it for form but told her he could not review it for legality because that function would fall to the Attorney General’s Office if the bylaw passes at Town Meeting. She also said she had tried to meet with the police chief and emailed the draft asking for comments but received no response.
Chairman Ken DePatto described the proposed schedule of administrative penalties Marchese included: a written warning for a first offense; $50 for a second offense; $150 for a third offense; and $300 for a fourth and subsequent offenses. Marchese emphasized the penalties are administrative, not criminal.
A fellow Town Meeting member asked whether Article 33 would conflict with a separate bylaw change previously proposed regarding electric vehicles on bike paths; Marchese said the articles would coincide. The Finance Committee voted 8-0 to recommend Article 33 and left legal vetting and enforcement details to Town Meeting and the Attorney General’s subsequent review if the article passes.
The Committee’s recommendation advances the proposed bylaw to the May 4 Annual Town Meeting, where members of the public and the Attorney General’s Office (if required) can review legality and enforcement mechanics.
