Yarmouth Resident Opposed to Memorial Motorcycle Ride Calls Event ‘Gratuitous’ With ‘No Meaning’

BigNicks

CCB MEDIA PHOTO: Big Nick’s Memorial Ride file photo

YARMOUTH – Yarmouth selectmen will not support a resident’s petitioner articles at the May town meeting that would impact veterans memorial rides in town.

Harris Contos has submitted two articles calling for required muffler screenings before large motorcycle rides and the release of noise-testing results to the public.

While explaining the rationale for his articles, Contos also told selectmen that he saw no reason for the memorial rides to be held in the first place.

“It makes no sense to have that record in conjunction with a gratuitous event that has no meaning whatsoever, take place here in town,” said Contos.

If passed, the articles would affect two major motorcycle rides that are held in the town every year.

Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen in July and the First Responder Freedom Ride in May, which both travel through Yarmouth, are impacted by the articles.

Contos also criticized Yarmouth police for being involved in the memorial rides.

“And why in the world the police department is co-hosting, sponsoring, promoting an event like this on public property with a private organization that is openly opposed to motor vehicle noise legislation,” Contos said.

While selectmen voted to not support the articles, they will still go before voters at the spring town meeting.

Rick Gleason, legislative director of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, previously said that he has not heard about any complaints about motorcycles in the town.

“I’ve gone to the police department, I’ve met with police, they don’t get call about supposedly illegal motorcycles, they just don’t,” said Gleason. “I don’t understand what the background is, and he specifically mentioned motor vehicles, but he zeroes in right on motorcycles only.”

The Association is holding a special meeting on April 4 at 7 p.m. at the West Barnstable Community Building to discuss the articles and their ramifications and is open to all motorcycle riders.

Even if the articles pass at town meeting, the Attorney General may refuse to approve them.

“This is an over-reaching town by-law if it were to be passed,” said Gleason. “It’s more restrictive than the laws in the state and that just doesn’t hold up well for the Attorney General’s office,” said Gleason.

By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director

 

About CapeCod.com NewsCenter

The award-winning CapeCod.com NewsCenter provides the Cape Cod community with a constant, credible source for local news. We are on the job seven days a week.

Speak Your Mind

*



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy