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1. When is a building permit required?

A permit is required to construct, reconstruct, alter, repair, remove or demolish a building or structure; or to change the use or occupancy of a building or structure, or to install or alter any equipment which is regulated by 780 CMR, Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR 105.1). The permit must be granted by the building official prior to performing any work. Please see this list to find out if you need a permit https://easthamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6316/work-requiring-a-CSL-and-or-permit

2. What requirements must be met prior to applying for a building permit?

The work must be in compliance with the Easthampton Zoning Ordinance and The Massachusetts State Building Code. Approvals may also be required from the Planning Department, Public Works, City Engineer and Fire Departments.

3. How long is my permit good for?

Building Permits expire after 180 days. In some cases an extension may be granted through communication with the building department. 

4. Do I need a permit for a shed? Where can a shed be placed?

If the shed is less than 200 square feet, a building permit is not required. However, one must comply with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance section 6.7 for any size shed.

5. What zone do I live in?

You can find your zone through the city accessor GIS information/Property information by searching your address, clicking on your parcel and viewing the documents attached to your property. 

6. When will my permit be issued?

Per the State Adopted Building Code, the Building Department has 30 days from the date all proper documentation is received to approve or deny a permit application. Most permits are issued well before the 30 days, but more in-depth projects may take the whole time to review. 

7. Will the building commissioner answer questions about how to build, design and construct?

We are happy to help you through the building process but it is not the Building Commissioner's job to design, redesign or supervise any construction project. Please refer to the Ninth Edition Code 780 before contacting the commissioner. The commissioner's main job is to enforce the Massachusetts State Building code. To learn more about the role of the Building commissioner please click here. 

8. What about the issuance of plumbing, gas, or wiring permits?

These permits are issued to Massachusetts licensed plumbers, gasfitters, or electricians. Permits are issued in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws (MGLs); MGL 143-3L in the case of wiring permits and MGL 142-13 in the case of plumbing and gas permits.

9. Can the building commissioner help me with my neighbor's trees?

No. This is a private matter and usually handled through your homeowner's insurance. 

Massachusetts State Law states that your neighbor will not be legally responsible for a healthy tree that falls. If the tree is decaying that is a different story. In either case consult your homeowner's insurance. 

MASSACHUSETTS LAW ABOUT NEIGHBORS AND TREES
A quick guide to the thorny issues of neighbors and trees, put out by the State of Massachusetts. Go to: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-neighbors-and-trees

10. How long does it take to get a building permit?

Many permits can be issued in a matter of days or sometime hours.  The time it takes to issue a permit depends on many factors.  The complexity of the construction project may require many days or even weeks for Building Department review.  A construction project may be subject to local zoning requirements.   If a review establishes that building or zoning code provisions are not being met, revised documents may be required.  An incomplete or inaccurate permit application can also cause delays.  A complete permit application will either be issued or denied within 30 days of the application date in accordance with building code requirements.

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1. How do I pay my city water bill?

Answer goes here...

2. How do I get a new trash can lid?

Answer goes here...

3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

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4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

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5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

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6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

Answer goes here...

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1. Will there be swimming?

We will have swimming and use of the spray park. Campers being in smaller groups will help reduce close contact.

2. What if it's raining?

We are hoping to have access to Easthampton High School (EHS) for bad weather days. If not, heavy rain days will be cancelled.

3. How can I have my child attend with a friend?

Email us after registration and we will try to group them together.

4. Will there be social distancing?

Campers will be broken into pods of 20 per pavilion. That pod will be broken into smaller teams. Pods and teams will have limited or no contact with other pods or teams. Camp activities will be structured with safety protocols.

5. Will there be field trips?

This year we are keeping it close to home for safety and will not have any field trips.

6. How do I turn in my health forms, immunization and physical forms and if my child needs medication?

We will be accepting those forms by mail, you can drop them in the drop box at the office call to make an appointment to drop off.

7. I have a lot of questions still!

No problem - email Camp Nonotuck and we will get back to you during business hours. We are not on Facebook often to respond to post comments or instant messages, so please email.

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1. I received a parking ticket, where do I address it?

If you received a parking ticket, you must respond to the Parking Clerk within 21 days of the violation. Enclose the parking ticket with your payment, or include your license plate and the violation number to assure proper credit. You may also request an appeal. You may mail a check or money order payable to:

Parking Clerk, City of Easthampton
50 Payson Avenue
Easthampton, MA, 01027.

Unpaid Citations

If not paid within 21 days after date of violation, but thereafter paid before the Parking Clerk reports to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles the non-payment of this ticket, the penalty shall be $10 plus the original fine. If paid after the Registrar has been notified, the penalty shall be $40 plus the original fine.

2. I received a city ordinance citation, where do I address it?

If you received a non-criminal city ordinance citation, you have options in this matter. Either option will operate as a final disposition, with no resulting criminal record:

• Option 1: You may elect to pay the fine, either by appearing in person between 1 pm and 4 pm. Monday through Thursday, before the City Clerk or by mailing a check, money order or postal note to the City Clerk within 21 days of the citation's date of issuance. If mailed, please enclose a copy of the citation with your payment to the following address:
  Easthampton City Clerk
  50 Payson Avenue
  Easthampton, MA, 01027
• Option 2: f you desire to contest this matter in a non-criminal proceeding, you may do so by making a written request and enclosing a copy of the citation within 21 days of the citation's date of issuance. Address your request to:
  Clerk magistrate, Northampton District Court
  ATTN: 21D Non-Criminal Hearings
  15 Gothic Street
  Northampton, MA 01060

Failure to Pay or Appear

If you fail to pay the fine or appear as specified, a criminal complaint may be issued against you.

3. What are the winter parking regulations in the City of Easthampton?

City bylaws prohibit the parking of motor vehicles on a public way between the hours of 1 am and 6 am from November 1st to April 1st. During a declared parking ban for a winter storm, no on-street parking is allowed. Vehicles parked in violation of the parking ban will be ticketed and may be towed, at the owner's expense, if they interfere with the removal or the plowing of snow. Please make arrangements to park your vehicle off the street during the winter months.

4. What are the winter parking regulations for public parking lots?

During a declared parking ban when the Department of Public Works is plowing or removing snow, the city prohibits parking in municipal lots between 5 am and 7 am. Not adhering to these parking rules will impede snow removal operations, and owners may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

5. What are the regulations regarding snow and ice removal on sidewalks?

Citing Easthampton city ordinance section 8-41:

1. The tenant, occupant or owner of any estate abutting on any street, highway or city way in the city and where there now is or hereafter may be, a sidewalk constructed of or covered with concrete, brick, cement, stone, wood or any other material than earth, ashes or gravel, shall within twelve (12) hours after ceasing to fall, form or drift thereon, of any snow, sleet or ice, remove or cause to be removed such snow, sleet or ice there from so far as it can be removed and if the same cannot be wholly removed, shall sprinkle, or cause to be sprinkled thereon sand, ashes, sawdust or other suitable substance so that such sidewalk shall not be slippery and shall be safe and convenient for public travel. The duty of enforcing the provisions of this and the following section shall devolve upon the police department.
2. When the estate so abutting on a street shall be occupied by more than one tenant or by separate families or when the estate so abutting is not occupied by anyone, the owner or agent having charge of such premises shall cause the snow, ice or sleet to be removed or sand or other substance to be sprinkled thereon as above provided.
3. Owners or agents having charge of property that abuts city sidewalks who fail to remove snow, sleet or ice or sprinkle sand or other substances as provided in Sec. 8-41(a) shall be subject to a fine of:
   1. $50 for the first offense.
   2. $50 for the second offense occurring within three months of the first offense.
   3. Upon the third offense occurring within three months of the first offense, the city's Department of Public Works shall clear the sidewalk. The cost of $150/hour for labor and materials incurred by the city for said clearing shall be billed to the owners or agent having charge of the property by the city Assessors pursuant to the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 85, Section 6. If said charges are not paid within 30 days of the issuance of the bill by the Assessors, said costs will be assessed and collected in accordance with the provisions of General Laws Chapter 80, pertaining to betterment assessments.

Paying Citations

All fines are payable to the City of Easthampton and payable to the City Clerk within 30 days of the date of the citation, unless otherwise stated on the citation. Any owner or agent fined in accordance with the provisions of this section shall have a right of appeals to the City Council Public Safety Committee, said appeal to be taken no later than 60 days after the citation was issued. Appeals may be taken by written request to the City Council Public Safety Committee, addressed to the City Clerk, and sent via first class mail, postage prepaid.

6. How many unregistered vehicles are allowed on premises?

Citing Easthampton city ordinance section 6-1:

1. The keeping of more than one unregistered vehicle assembled or disassembled, except by a person licensed under General Law, Chapter 140, Section 59, on any premises shall be unlawful unless the motor vehicle is stored in an enclosed building or otherwise out of sight of all abutters and public ways.
2. This section shall not apply to motor vehicles which are designed and used for farming, industrial and construction purposes.
3. Whoever violates any provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty of $50 and $10 per day for each day of violation, commencing ten days following date of receipt of written notice from the Mayor.

7. I was in a car crash, how do I get a copy of the police report?

Where a motor vehicle collision has resulted in personal injury or property damage over $1,000, a police officer will file a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Police Report.

The Easthampton Police Department submits the completed motor vehicle crash reports to LexisNexis. Reports are available 5 to 7 business days after an accident on the LexisNexis website.

8. Do I have to file an operator crash report?

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 Section 26 requires a person who was operating a motor vehicle involved in a crash in which any person was killed, injured, or in which there was damage in excess of $1,000 to any one vehicle or other property, to complete and file a Crash Operator Report with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles within five days after such crash (unless the person is physically incapable of doing so due to incapacity). The person completing the report must also send a copy of the report to the police department having jurisdiction on the way where the crash occurred.

If the operator is incapacitated but is not the vehicle's owner, the owner is required to file the crash report within the five days based on his/her knowledge and information obtained about the crash. The Registrar may require the owner or operator to supplement the report and he/she can revoke or suspend the license of any person violating any provision of this legal requirement. A police department is required to accept a report filed by an owner or operator whose vehicle has been damaged in a crash in which another person unlawfully left the scene even if damage to the vehicle does not exceed $1,000.

Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report Instructions (PDF)

9. Does the Easthampton Public Safety Complex have a drug disposal box?

Yes, the Easthampton Police Department is one of several local police agencies where you can find a Medreturn Box for the disposal of unwanted medications. You can access the box by speaking with the dispatcher at the front window of the safety complex.

10. Does the Easthampton Public Safety Complex have a sharps collection box?

Yes, there is a sharps collection drop box located inside the public safety complex. You can access the box by speaking with the dispatcher at the front window of the safety complex. 

 

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1. How does the Safe Haven Act define the following terms?

• Appropriate Person: Someone at a designated facility who is able to ensure that the newborn infant is safe; for example, the triage person in a hospital emergency department or duty officer in a police station.
• Designated Facility: Hospital (it is preferred that the newborns specifically be taken to an acute care hospital emergency department), police department or manned fire station; the locations stipulated by the Safe Haven Law.
• Newborn Infant: A baby 7 days old or younger.
• Notification: An immediate notice to be filed with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) on the voluntary surrender of the newborn infant.
• Voluntary Placed, Voluntary Placement or Voluntary Abandonment: Voluntarily leaving the newborn infant with an appropriate person at a designated facility.

2. When is the Safe Haven Act applicable?

When a parent voluntarily surrenders a newborn infant 7 days of age or younger with an appropriate person at a hospital, police department or manned fire station and there are no signs of abuse or neglect of the infant.

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1. Can I view a list of Level 2 & Level 3 Sex Offenders registered in Easthampton?

To view a list of registered Level 2 & Level Sex Offenders in Easthampton, follow this link:

Registered Level 2 & Level 3 Sex Offenders in Easthampton, MA

2. How can I identify if any sex offenders live near me?

You may come to the public safety complex and complete a request form for this information. The form can also be obtained from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website (PDF). This form will be turned over to the Public Information Officer, who will then gather the information you have requested.  You will be notified by phone that the information is ready. You will only be notified of sex offenders who are classified as Level 2 or Level 3. There is no fee for this service.

3. I am a sex offender who works in Easthampton, but does not live in Easthampton, do I have to register?

Yes - any sex offender who lives and/or works in Easthampton must register with the Police Department.

4. I need to register as a sex offender. What do I do?

Contact our SORB Liaison, Lieutenant Chad Alexander via email or at 413-527-1212, ext. 1092. If he is not available, come to the Easthampton Public Safety Complex with a form of identification and an officer will meet with you to go over the necessary forms, take your information and arrange to take your photograph and fingerprints.

5. I am not sure if I have to register as a sex offender. What should I do?

Contact the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board at 978-740-6400 and ask them if you are supposed to register.

6. How often do I have to reregister as a sex offender?

All sex offenders must re-register on a yearly basis. Those offenders who are homeless or who live in temporary housing, such as a homeless shelter, must reregister every 45 days. Any offender who changes residence or who obtain a new job must come in and notify the Police Department.

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1. Is a Section 35 the only option?

No, there are other options. Many outpatient substance abuse treatment programs and private counselors conduct formal interventions. It is important to work with a professional who can help you decide if this process is appropriate for your family or client.

• To plan an intervention, family and friends should meet with a trained counselor who will help them to:
• Express concerns about their loved one's substance use
• Identify the person's resistance to stop using substances
• Decide what they can and cannot do
• Accept the outcome if the person refuses to accept treatment

Bottom Lines

Set your bottom line, examples of bottom lines can be:

• Not lending the individual any more money.
• Not allowing her/him to drink in your home
• The possibility of petitioning for a Section 35 commitment as part of the bottom line

Program Referrals

We know that people important to the individual abusing substances can have a tremendous impact both positively and negatively on a person's denial of their substance abuse problem.

Individuals who are requesting treatment on their own should be considered for referral to public programs that can provide treatment on a voluntary basis, rather than be referred to a Section 35 petition process.

2. How do I get someone committed to treatment under Section 35?

These adults may request the district court to commitment someone to treatment under Section 35:

• A spouse, blood relative, or guardian
• Any police officer, physician, or court official

Additional Step

They must go to the local court and fill out papers. In legal language, they must file a written petition for an order of commitment.

3. What happens once a petition is filed with the court?

Here are the next steps in order:

1. The court reviews the facts and decides whether or not to issue an order of commitment
2.  If yes, then the person who is the subject of the petition must come to court that day. The court issues them either a summons or a warrant of apprehension.
   1. Summons: A written notice delivered to the person.
   2. Warrant: Allows police to pick the person up. A warrant can be issued only during court hours. Police will pick a person up only if the court is open.
3.  If a warrant is issued and the person is picked up, they will be handcuffed, taken to court, and put in a holding cell to wait for a hearing.
   1.  The person has the right to a lawyer and to present their own experts.
   2. The court will arrange for a (forensic) psychiatrist or psychologist to examine them

4. How will the court decide what to do?

The court will review medical facts (evidence) from the exam and other evidence that relates to the case.

The court can order commitment only if both of the following are true:

• There is a medical diagnosis of alcoholism or substance abuse
• A likelihood of serious harm to the subject or others as a result of the substance abuse exists.

Likelihood of Serious Harm Clarification

To meet the criteria for civil commitment, likelihood of serious harm must exceed what harm can be reasonably assumed to exist, when any individual abuses alcohol or other drugs. The statute defines likelihood of serious harm as the following:

• A substantial risk of physical harm to the person as manifested by evidence of, threats of, or attempts at, suicide or serious bodily harm
• A substantial risk of physical harm to other persons as manifested by evidence of homicidal or other violent behavior or evidence that others are placed in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm to them
• A very substantial risk of physical impairment or injury to the person himself as manifested by evidence that such person's judgment is so effected that he is unable to protect himself in the community and that reasonable provision for his protection is not available in the community (GLC 123 Section 1)

Additional Information

The likelihood of serious harm must be directly related to the substance abuse and must be a current threat.

5. What happens next if the court orders her/him to be committed?

he judge orders her/him to a licensed inpatient substance abuse treatment facility such as, the Women's Addiction Treatment Center (WATC) facility in New Bedford, the Men's Addiction Treatment Center (MATC) in Brockton or another community treatment center. If a bed is not available the commitment could be to:

• Females: MCI-Framingham
• Males: Massachusetts Alcohol Substance Abuse Center (MSAC) treatment facility in MCI Bridgewater

6. What kind of help will an individual receive?

Once committed to a facility, an assessment will be completed regarding the person's need for detoxification. The length of time in a detoxification unit varies depending on the substance she/he is using, the amount of use, the time since her/his last use, and her/his overall health.

Once detoxification is complete she/he will receive rehabilitation services. This may or may not be in the same facility. Moreover, in the rehabilitation phase, the individual learns more about addiction, how to stay sober, and how to prevent relapse. Counselors then encourage individuals to engage in aftercare treatment services and supports.

7. What if she/he is too sick to go to a detoxification program?

Some individuals may have complicated medical conditions that cannot be appropriately treated in a standard detoxification unit. They may require what is called a Level 4 program which would be in a hospital setting, if they have conditions such as the following:

• Acute liver disease
• Biomedical problems that need stabilization and 24 hour medical management, observation, or evaluation
• Cardiovascular disorders that require monitoring
• Infectious open sores
• Major head trauma or loss of consciousness that requires monitoring
• Medical conditions that require a higher level of medications

8. What if they have a co-occurring mental health problem?

If a client has a psychiatric disorder which needs to be stabilized and/or managed to be able to treat the substance addiction they will have to be referred to a psychiatric hospital. Some examples of these disorders or symptoms are:

• Bipolar Disorder
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Symptoms such as psychosis (delusions or hallucinations) mania, acute depression, suicidal or homicidal

9. How long will the commitment be for?

The length of the civil commitment will vary with the severity of the client's addiction and the client's response to treatment. The commitment cannot exceed 90 days.

10. Will a Section 35 commitment cure her/his alcohol or drug problem?

Recovery is a process and detoxification is a start. For some individuals, a civil commitment to treatment begins their recovery. Others do not see a need to stop using alcohol or other drugs. It is helpful for family and friends to learn about addiction and to understand the process of recovery. Self-help organizations, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are resources for families and friends.

Program Phone Numbers

• Alcoholics Anonymous: 617-426-9444
• Al-Anon: 508-366-0556
• Nar-Anon: 800-477-6291
• Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline: 800-327-5050

11. Can I go back to court if she/he drinks or uses other drugs again?

Yes, you may file a new petition. However, it is not automatic that she/he will be committed based on a history of having been committed before. The statute (law) addresses individuals whose substance use results in the current likelihood of serious harm. It does not address many individuals whose chronic use of alcohol or other drugs may have dire long term consequences.