Council passes trespassing bylaw for town facilities

May 4, 2023 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Shelburne Town Council has unanimously voted in support of a trespassing policy for the use of town facilities and property.

During their meeting on April 24, Shelburne Town Council received a report from chief administrative officer (CAO) Denyse Morrissey regarding the trespass to property policy.

“The town recognizes that the majority of individuals use town properties and facilities in a responsible manner,” wrote Morrissey in the report. “However, there are certain instances where users engage in inappropriate activities, which are not in compliance with polices or bylaws, compromise the health, safety, and well-being of others and their enjoyment and use of town properties and facilities.”

The purpose of the trespass-to-property policy is to implement a process where users may be denied use of municipal property and facilities in cases of non-compliance. The policy would be applicable to all Town of Shelburne properties and facilities.

“The town is committed to ensuring that users are able to use or enjoy public premises, as and when permitted by the town, without unreasonable interference by another user,” reads the policy.

One of the ways the town plans to manage non-compliance with the new trespassing policy is the use of a trespassing notice.

Some of the factors that determine whether a trespass notice is given or extended will include the following:

• Any warnings previously given to the person or graduated restrictions previously placed on the person;

• Any operational or staff requirements or limitations;

• The severity of the harm or potential harm caused by the person’s prohibited conduct;

• The person’s circumstances;

• The history of the person’s conduct on town premises;

• The likelihood of recurrence of prohibited conduct by the person;

• The impact of restrictions or prohibitions on the person

“This is not some Draconian measure, in fact this is something that is widely used in other municipalities,” said Mayor Wade Mills. “One of the chief reasons I’m going to be wholeheartedly supporting this is that it provides protection for not only the corporation of the Town of Shelburne, but for residents regardless of what town property we’re talking about.”

“At the end of the day our job is to protect our community and to make policies and implement bylaws that help do that,” said Coun. Lindsay Wegener. “This isn’t directed at a specific group. It’s something that will protect anyone and everyone who’s using any of our facilities within
our town.”

The trespassing policy was approved with unanimous support from Town Council.