In accordance with the authority conferred upon selectmen of towns by Section 11, Chapter 41 and paragraphs VII and VIII; and Section 17, Chapter 47 Revised Statutes Annotated, relative to traffic regulations, the following regulations are hereby drafted and adopted.

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

1. Vehicle - Every mechanical device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a way, except devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

2. Way - The entire width between the boundary lines of any public highway, street, avenue, road, alley, park or parkway or any private way laid out under authority of statute or any such way provided and maintained by a public institution to which state funds are appropriated for public use, or any such way which has been for public travel thereon, other than to and from a toll bridge or ferry, for twenty (20) years, or any public or private parking lot which is maintained primarily for the benefit of paying customers.

3. Crosswalk - The part of a highway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalk on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs from the edges of the traversable highway any portion of a highway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

4. Sidewalk - All sidewalks laid out as such by a city, town, or village district, or reserved by custom for the use of pedestrians that are within the compact part of a city village or district. It shall not include crosswalks, nor footpaths outside the compact part of town that are worn only by travel and not improved by the town or abutters, nor any paths or walks that are built for the exclusive use of bicyclists.

5. Bicycles - Every pedaled vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, except a child’s tricycle and similar devices.

6. Compact Area - For the purpose of these regulations, the Compact Areas of the Town of Littleton shall include the ways and sidewalks of Main, West Main, Cottage, Union, Meadow and Pleasant Streets.

7. Traffic Movements

   1. Stop-

      1. When required, a complete cessation of movement.

      2. When prohibited, any stopping of a vehicle except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with direction of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal.

   2. Standing- Any stopped vehicle, whether occupied or not.

   3. Park- The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than
      temporarily for the purpose of or while actually engaged in or unloading.

   4. U-Turn- The turning of a vehicle from its original direction and/or the turning of one side of the street to the other for the purpose of parking

   5. Yielding the Right of Way- When required, the slowing down or stopping if necessary, to allow a vehicle or pedestrian using the street being approached to have the right of way.

8. Intersection - The area bounded by the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or the lateral boundary lines of 2 or more ways.

9. Traffic Control Device

1. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with these regulations erected pursuant to competent authority for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.

2. Traffic signals, mechanically or electronically operated, by which traffic is directed to stop or proceed. These are erected pursuant to competent authority.

8. Feeding Meters - The purpose of parking meters is to provide the periodic turnover of parked vehicles on commercial areas, which would provide greater access to the businesses and services offered in the Town. Feeding the meters is the act of placing more money in the parking meters than is necessary in an attempt to avoid a parking fine after the maximum time limit has expired.

Section 2. Enforcement

1. It shall be the duty of the Police Department of this town to enforce the provisions of this ordinance. Officers of the Police Department are hereby authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by means of visual or audible signals in conformance with these regulations, provided that in the event of fire or other emergency, may direct traffic (as conditions may require), not withstanding the provisions of this ordinance.

2. Required Obedience to Traffic Regulations
   It is a violation for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by these regulations.

3. Obedience to Police
   No person shall fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of a police officer

4. Traffic Regulations
   Public Employees: The provisions of these regulations shall apply to the driver of any vehicle owned or used by the united States Government, the State of New Hampshire, or any political subdivision of said state, and it shall be unlawful for any driver to violate any of the provisions of these regulations, except as otherwise permitted by law or these regulations.

5. Exemptions

Emergency Vehicles - The provisions of these regulations, governing the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles as defined in these regulations except as follows:

1. Park or stand notwithstanding the provisions of these regulations.

2. Proceed past a red or stop signal r stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.

3. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specific directions so long as persons and property are not thereby endangered.

THE FOREGOING EXEMPTIONS SHALL NOT PROTECT THE DRIVER OF ANY VEHICLE FROM THE CONSEQUENCES THAT RESULT FROM THE DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.

6. Persons Covered
   Any person propelling a push cart, riding a bicycle or skateboard, or driving a vehicle shall be subject to the provisions of these regulations whenever applicable.

SECTION 3. TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

1. Obedience to Traffic Control Devices
   The driver of a vehicle shall obey the instructions of all control devices, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

2. Traffic Control Signal legend- Vehicles
   Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively, at one time or in combination, ONLY the colors “RED”, “GREEN” AND “YELLOW” shall be used.

1. GREEN
   Vehicular traffic facing a CIRCULAR GREEN signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such a place prohibits either such turn. But, vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully with in the intersection or adjacent crosswalk at such a time the signal is exhibited.

2. GREEN ARROW
   Vehicular traffic facing a GREEN ARROW signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully using the intersection.

3. YELLOW
   Vehicular traffic facing a steady CIRCULAR YELLOW OR YELLOW ARROW signal is thereby warned that the related GREEN movement is being terminated or that a RED indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection. Drivers shall proceed with extreme caution IF AND ONLY IF it is apparent that a stop cannot be safely made.

4. CIRCULAR RED
   Vehicular traffic facing a steady CIRCULAR RED signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in 3:II (e) and 3:II (g).

5. When a signal is in a place permitting a turn, traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady CIRCULAR RED signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make the turn indicated by the sign after stopping. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

6. RED ARROW
   Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady RED ARROW indication may not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by such arrow, unless entering the intersection to make such other movements is permitted by other indication shown at the same time, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, shall stop before entering the intersection or crosswalk and remain standing until an indication to make the movement indicated is shown, except as provided in 3:II (g).

7. Except when the authority having jurisdiction over the intersection prohibits such a turn and a sign located at the intersection so indicates, vehicular traffic facing a steady RED LIGHT alone or a steady CIRCULAR RED indication shall stop as required in this section and may after such stop, make a right turn if such a right turn is lawful at that intersection. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to the other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

8. Signal not at an Intersection
   In the event an official traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions, which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.

9. Flashing Signals
   Flashing “RED” or “YELLOW” signals shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:

10. Flashing Red - (stop signal)
    When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked. Or if none, then before entering the intersection and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

11. Flashing Yellow - (caution signal)
    When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such a signal only with caution.

1. Display of Unauthorized Signs, Signals or Markings
   No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized signs, signals, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of, or resembles an official traffic control device, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or resembles an official traffic control device. No person shall place or maintain nor any public authority permit upon any way any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. This shall be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to ways, signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is declared a public nuisance and the authority having jurisdiction over the way is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice.

2. Interference with Traffic Control Devices, Signs, or Signals
   No person shall, without lawful authority, attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down other than accidentally, remove or possess any of the following items, or any part thereof, which have previously been installed by lawful authority:

Any official control device;

1. Any railroad sign or signal; or

2. Any inscription, shield or insignia found on any of the above.

3.Erection of Signs
After these regulations have been placed in effect, the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager may authorize the Chief of Police to erect signs in the Town of Littleton for the control of traffic and officially designate any such sign or signs by an authorization in writing to the Chief of Police, recorded in the office of the Town Clerk, said authorization containing a description of said sign and the location or position of the same. Sign(s) shall become effective upon said recording.

4. Penalties
Any person violating provisions of Sections 1, 2, and 3 shall be punished by a fine of not less $33.00 but not more than $100.00, in accordance with RSA 651:2 and subsequent amendments thereto.

SECTION 4. BICYCLES (see BICYCLE AND PEOPLE POWERED VEHICLE ORDINANCE)

SECTION 5. PEDESTRIANS

1. Pedestrians Crossing Streets

1. No person shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle, which is so close as to constitute immediate hazard. Anyone found in violation of this subsection shall be fined not less than $5.00.

2. No person shall cross any street within the compact area of the Town of Littleton at any point other than a marked crosswalk. A violation will result in a fine of not less than $5.00.

3. At intersections where “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signal are installed and in operation, it shall be unlawful for pedestrians to cross the way unless the signal indication permits such crossing. A violation will result in a fine of not less than $5.00.

SECTION 6. PARKING METERS

1. This section establishes metered parking in the downtown area of Littleton, NH (between Town Building and Social Security Office) and also establishes the allotted cost for that time and fines for violations.

2. The meter regulations shall be enforced Monday through Saturday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. They shall not be enforced on Sundays or Holidays. The Board of Selectmen or the Town Manager may make special exceptions to these hours.

3. Time – Costs
   The meters shall read:
   
   10 cents for 24 minutes
   25 cents for 1 hour
   *Amended 3/10/04 at Board of Selectmen’s meeting
   The six meters in front of the Post Office are to be on 12 minute intervals, as patrons rarely are parked in these spaces for an extended amount of time.
   *Amended 10/24/01 at Board of Selectmen’s Meeing

4. Use of Meters
   Except in a period of emergency to be determined by an officer of the Fire Department, or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal, when any vehicle shall be parked in any parking space along side or next to which a parking meter is located, the operator of such vehicle shall, upon entering said parking space with a meter, immediately deposit or cause to be deposited proper coin of the United States as is required for its operation. After deposit of the proper coin(s), the driver of said vehicle shall also set in operation the timing mechanism in accordance with the directions appearing on the meter. Failure to deposit the proper amount shall subject the operator and/or owner of the vehicle to an overtime parking of not less than $5.00.

Exception- However, the parking space may be lawfully occupied be such vehicle during the period of time which has been prescribed for the part of the street in which said space is located, provided that any person placing the vehicle in a parking meter space adjacent to a meter which indicates an unused time has been left in the meter by a previous occupant of the space, shall not be required to deposit a coin so long as his occupancy does not exceed the indicated unused parking time. If occupancy will extend past the unused parking time, the owner and/or operator of the vehicle must deposit the required amount(s) to remain for the longer period of time. Failure to do so will result in violations of Section 6:IV and 5:V.

V. It shall be a violation of this section for any person to cause, allow or permit any vehicle registered in the name of or operated by such person to remain or be placed in any parking space adjacent to a meter while such meter is displaying a signal indicating that such time limit has expired; then, and in that event, such vehicle shall be considered as parking overtime and shall be subject to an overtime and shall be subject to an overtime parking charge of not less than $5.00.

VI. Enforcement
The police department shall be responsible for the regulation, control and use of such parking meters. The police department shall be responsible for the maintenance and collection of fees from such parking meters. Each parking meter shall be so arranged that upon the expiration of the specified time limit, and indication of such expiration will be given by a proper visible signal. This visible signal will service as prima facie evidence that the right to occupy said parking space has ceased and the owner and/or operator thereof shall be subject to an overtime parking charge of not less than $5.00.

VII. Feeding Meters
There shall be no feeding of meters.  Any vehicle found in violation of metered parking by feeding meters past the two (2) hour limit shall be fined (in addition to any ticket already issued) the additional sum of $5.00 for each two (2) hour period.

VIII.Courtesy Parking Tickets/Permits
Courtesy parking tickets/permits shall be issued only with the prior approval of either the Police Chief or his designee for a sum of $5.00.  This ticket/permit shall be valid for one day only.

IX. Appeals
Any person who wishes to appeal a parking ticket may do so within 5 business days of the date of issue.  The appeal should be dated and in written form and signed by the person making the appeal.  Please forward to:

Chief of Police

Littleton police Department

Littleton, NH  03561

The decision of the Chief shall be final

X.Vandalism of Meters

It shall be unlawful and a violation for any person to:

a)     Deface, injure, tamper with, open or willfully break, destroy or impair the usefulness of any parking meter

b)     Deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking meter any slugs, device or metal substance or other substances that act as substitutes for lawful coins of the United States.

Such person shall be subject to a fine of not less that $33.00 nor more than $100.00 in accordance with RSA 651:2, and subsequent amendments thereto. 

XI. Payment of Fines

Overtime parking charges may be paid at the police station.

XII. Proof of Ownership
Proof of ownership through registration shall be prima facie evidence that such owner operated or allowed said vehicle to be operated by another in violation of this section, and said owner may be charged for any violation of this section by such person

XIII. Special Uses
Nothing in this section shall prevent the holding of certain parking meters as a reservation for special uses upon the determination and authorization of either the Board of Selectmen or the Town Manager.  Any vehicle parked in violation of such special use shall be subject to fine of not less than $5.00