Accident Reporting

All Shrewsbury accidents where damage to any one vehicle amounts to more than $25 must be reported to the police within 24 hours. State law requires that accidents resulting in property damage in excess of $1,000 or personal injury be reported within 5 days. Report forms are available at the Police Station or online.

• Accident Report Form

Town of Shrewsbury, Traffic Rules and Orders, Article 8, Section 1

Alarms, Commercial and Residential

All alarm systems must be registered with the Police Department within 30days of installation. Alarms may not automatically dial the Police or Fire Departments. Audible alarms must reset within 15 minutes. Violators are subject to a $100 fine. The 4th alarm during a 12 month period will result in a $50 penalty. A 5th or subsequent alarm will result in a $100 penalty. Please contact the Police or Fire Departments before testing alarms.

• Fire Alarm Registration Form
• Burglar Alarm Registration Form

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Laws, Article 19

Alcoholic Beverages, Open Containers

The consumption or possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages on public streets, parks or property is prohibited. Violators are subject to a $50 fine and/or arrest.

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Laws, Article 8, Section 1

Burning Permits

Residents may burn BRUSH ONLY from January 15th to May 1st with a permit issued by the Fire Department. This does not apply to cooking fires. Violators are subject to fines of up to $500 plus the cost of suppressing the fire.

• Open Air Fire Permit Form

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 48, Section 13

Construction Hours

Construction may not begin before 7:00 a.m. Private contractors may not work on Sundays and some holidays as regulated by state law.

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 136, Section 5

Dogs

Dogs kept in Shrewsbury must be licensed before reaching 6 months of age. License period is January 1 to December 31. Each dog owner who fails to license his dog on or before March 1 of any year shall be fined the sum of ten ($10.00) dollars. Licensing is done at the Town Clerk's office. new residents must license dogs within 30 days. A valid rabies certificate is required for licensing. Dogs must be leashed or under the control of a responsible person when not on their own property. The owner or keeper is responsible for immediately cleaning up after their dog when the dog defecates on other than the owner's property. Violators are subject to fines from $15 to $40.

• Dog License Form

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Laws, Article 14

Emergency Calling

The emergency telephone number for Police, Fire and Ambulance is 9-1-1. Whenever a call is made to this number, the name and address of the subscriber appear at the police dispatch center. If you call and are unable to speak, stay on the line with the dispatcher. If you dial 9-1-1 in error, stay on the line until the dispatcher speaks with you. Police respond to all 9-1-1 hang up calls.

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Laws, Article 19

Fireworks

The sale or possession of fireworks is prohibited by state law.

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 148, Section 39

Game Playing on Streets

Playing on streets is prohibited (and unsafe). Examples are playing basketball, street hockey, etc.

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Laws, Article 9, Section 10

Handicapped Parking

Parking lots of 15 or more spaces are required to reserve parking spaces for vehicles owned and operated by handicapped persons. Persons parking in these spaces must have a handicapped placard issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or an out of state RMV. Violators are subject to a $100 fine.

• Application for Handicapped Placard

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Laws, Article 10

Numbering Houses

Ambulance, Police and Fire personnel responding to emergencies have difficulty finding unmarked or inadequately marked houses. To insure that emergency responders find your home in the event of an emergency, you must mark your home with your address number. The numbers should be large enough to be easily seen from the street.

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 148, Section 59

Overnight Parking Ban

The Town has a year round, overnight parking ban. No vehicle may be parked on ANY street for a period of more than one hour, between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., except in case of an emergency. If you have such and emergency, you must call the Police Department (508-841-8577) prior to leaving your car on the street.

Town of Shrewsbury, Traffic Rules and Ordinances, Article 5, Section 4

Solicitors/Canvassers

Solicitors and canvassers must have a permit issued by the Chief of Police. Those soliciting or canvassing without a permit should be reported to the police.

• Application for a License to Solicit and Canvass

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Laws, Article 11, Section D

Unregistered Vehicles

Having more than two unregistered vehicles or major parts or unregistered vehicles on private property without a proper license or permit is prohibited. (Vehicles stored in outbuildings do not apply). Violators are subject to a $50 fine for each offense. Each day of violation is considered a separate offense.

Town of Shrewsbury, General By-Lays, Article 9C

Council on Aging

The Council on Aging offers a variety of services and events. They are located at the Senior Center at the Town Municipal Complex.

• Council on Aging Website

Fingerprints

For Shrewsbury residents ONLY. Hours are Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.; and Sundays at 4:15 p.m.

Firearms Safety Classes

For residents seeking a license to carry firearms, safety classes are offered several times per year. They are free to Shrewsbury Residents. Call the Police Department to register.

• Firearms Identification/License to Carry Application Form

House Security Checks

If you wish, the Police Department will provide checks of your home while you are away on vacation. Forms are available at the Police Department and online.

• House/Business Security Check Form

Parks and Recreation

Programs available for adults and children throughout the year. Call 841-8503 or visit the Parks & Recreation website for more information or to find a park or playground nearby.

• Parks and Recreation Website

RUOK Program

RUOK is a well being program geared toward elderly and disabled persons. A computer generated telephone call is made daily at a convenient time. If the call is not answered, a second call is generated. If the second call is not answered, a Police Officers is dispatched to check on the client's welfare.

• RUOK Application Form

Sex Offender Registry Information

Sex offender registration information is available as allowed by law by contacting the Police Department Detective Division at 508-841-8577.

• Shrewsbury Sex Offender Registry

Trash/Rubbish Collection and Recycling

Rubbish is picked up weekly and recyclables biweekly by private contractors working for the Town. Information is available from the Health Department at 508-841-8388.

• Health Department Website

Voter Registration

Voter registration is conducted at the town clerk's office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Mail-in voter registration forms are available at the Shrewsbury Public Library. In order to avoid the need to produce identification at the precinct the first time a person votes, mail-in registrations should be submitted with a copy of identification showing the name and address of the voter as it appears on the registration
form.

• Voter Registration Request