January 2020

Open Burning Season Begins Jan. 15

ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department would like to announce that the State Open Burning Season will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 15 and end on Friday, May 1.

Burning permits from previous seasons do not carry over from year-to-year. All residents need to re-apply for a permit and can do so by visiting the South Attleboro Fire Station located at 1476 West St., to fill out the required paperwork. Residents who wish to acquire a permit will be required to pay a $10 fee.

Once residents get their permits, they will be given a phone number to call and instructions about calling to confirm whether burning is permitting on a particular day.

Residents must carry out their burning between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and no fires can be started after noon. Burning must be done at least 75 feet away from buildings and be attended to at all times.

Outdoor burning is only permitted for brush, cane, driftwood, forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing for new non-agricultural purposes. Burning brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing grass purposes is prohibited. Burning grass, hay, leaves, stumps, tires, plastic and trash are prohibited as well.

Violations of the permit requirements, open burning law and/or open burning regulations will be grounds for permit revocation. According to the law, residents who are found to be violating these rules may be punished by a fine of no more than $100, by imprisonment for up to one month, or both.

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ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department would like to remind residents of the upcoming hands-free law for drivers.

On Feb. 23, An Act Requiring the Hands-Free Use of Mobile Telephones While Driving will go into effect prohibiting drivers from using cellphones and other hand-held devices while operating a vehicle. There will be a grace period through March 31 in which drivers will get a warning for their first violation rather than a fine.

“The Attleboro Fire Department responds to numerous accidents involving distracted drivers throughout the year,” said Chief Lachance. “Many times these accidents are caused by drivers using their cellphones. We’re looking forward to having less people using their phones while driving, which will lead to safer roadways throughout our community.”

The law states that no motor vehicle operator may use electronic devices while driving unless the technology is being used hands-free. Operators found to be texting, dialing phone numbers or using a phone with their hands in any capacity while driving will be fined.

Operators are permitted to use hands-free technology including Bluetooth, “single tap or swipe” to activate or deactivate hands-free mode, navigation technology mounted to the car’s dash and phone use in emergency situations. Drivers may use their phones if they are stationary and not in an active traffic lane.

The penalty for drivers who are found guilty of violating the hands-free law is a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for a third or subsequent offense. Operators who commit a second or subsequent offense are also required to complete an educational program focused on distracted driving prevention. A third or subsequent violation will count as a surchargeable incident which can affect the driver’s insurance rates.

The act also includes a requirement that law enforcement agencies report data on violations. The data collected by law enforcement will be available to the public.

The law does not apply to first responders who are on duty and driving emergency service vehicles.

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Archives for January 2020

Attleboro Fire Chief Reminds Residents of Outdoor Burning Rules

Open Burning Season Begins Jan. 15

Attleboro Fire Department Reminds Residents of Upcoming Hands-Free Law for Drivers

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