Beyond the South End

 

By TED SYLVESTER

 

This column appeared in the Bangor Daily News on September 2, 1973

An act establishing license fees for the manufacture and sale of lightning rods; an act establishing regulations and license fees for the practice of falconry; an act which prohibits the operation of airmobiles.

Yep. These are included among the more than 300 pages of new public laws in Maine; most of which will become effective Oct. 3.

Interesting reading is contained in the 8-by-10-inch booklet put out by the Director of Legislative Research. Contained are all the public laws enacted by the 106^th Maine Legislature.

In its infinite wisdom the legislature decided that if you engage in the manufacture of lightning rods, a $20 license would be required. To sell the rods requires a $2 salesman license.

Other legislative action included prohibiting the use of airmobiles in the state.

“The legislature finds and declares that the use of airmobiles in the state of Maine has a great potential for damage and destruction to the natural environment and the plant and animal life therein as well as for the invasion of the privacy of the citizens of Maine,” the law states.

As far as the practice of falconry is concerned, the law requires a $10 license. Restrictions are that it shall be unlawful to possess, capture, transport, train or use for hunting more than two raptors (hunting birds such as falcons and owls) except as provided by the rules and regulations.

Of course there are many, many new laws going into effect which will have a more direct impact on the citizenship. For instance. Automobile inspection fees will go up to $2, the minimum wage will increase to $1.80, bicycle riders after dark must have bikes equipped with a front light, rear reflector and fluorescent strips on the pedals.

New hunting regulations require that hunters wear fluorescent orange clothing of some kind which is visible from all sides. To hunt pheasant requires a $1 stamp in addition to a hunting license. Persons hunting ducks must use at least No. 2 shot.

An interesting twist has developed in the new juvenile law which says juveniles cannot be jailed for offenses which would not be offenses under the criminal statutes if committed by a person 18 or older. This will eliminate youths being jailed for offenses such as truancy, incorrigibililty, runaway.

But what about the offense of illegal possession or intoxicating liquor by a minor? True this is not an offense for which a person is usually jailed. However, a defendant is given the choice of paying the fine or working the time off in jail at $5 a day. What then?

Local court officers said the illegal possession offense is still effective under the liquor laws of the state and that complaints for the offense would continue to be issued.

Specific new laws we have been asked about for information concern dog control and snowmobile regulations.

Effective Oct. 3 it will be unlawful to allow a dog to run at large anywhere in the state, except when used for hunting. At large means that when the dog is off the control of its owner it must be under the control of a responsible person.

Any police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, game warden or constable shall seize, impound or restrain any dog in violation and deliver dog to any person or shelter authorized to board dogs. Such dogs shall be handled as strays or abandoned dogs. Instead of seizing and impounding the dog, officers having jurisdiction may prosecute the owners. Conviction of allowing a dog to run at large subjects one to a fine of not less than $20 nor more than $100.

Knox County Sheriff Carlton Thurston said Ray Eaton has been deputized to handle dog complaints in the county. Eaton is awaiting confirmation as county humane officer, Thurston said.

Snowmobiles cannot be operated within 200 feet of any dwelling, hospital, nursing home, convalescent home or church, except when operated on a public way in accordance with the law, when operated on a frozen body of water, or when operated on land which the person owns or is permitted to use.

It shall be unlawful for persons under 10 years of age to operate snowmobiles unless accompanied by an adult.

Another interesting aspect is that the State Parks and Recreation Department may make grants in aid to political subdivisions, educational institutions, regional planning agencies, snowmobile groups and others for the construction and maintenance of snowmobile trails, and for the research, development and planning of trails. The department will be the ones to decide what trails will be eligible for grants.

There are numerous other laws which we could not possibly cover here, but we can’t close without mentioning the fact that it will now be legal to play bingo on Sundays—that is if it is played after 2 p.m.—and if it is played on the premises of an agricultural fair association.