Parking Rules, Regulations, and Fines Schedule

Overview

Parking on the Northern Essex Community College (NECC) campus is on a first come and first serve basis. To avoid parking issues, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to plan ahead. Parking regulations will be strictly enforced in order to provide safe and easy access to our buildings for emergencies.

The rules and regulations set forth in this policy have been developed to control traffic movement and parking for all persons utilizing the parking lots, roads, and ways at NECC.
While it is the duty of the NECC Police Department to enforce parking regulations, it is the responsibility of the entire campus community to abide by them. Each person bringing a motor vehicle onto campus property is expected and required to be familiar with, and abide by, the regulations outlined in this policy.

All Students, Faculty, Staff, Contractors/Vendors must obtain a parking permit. Visitors to campus must park in designated visitor spaces if available.

Anyone operating a motor vehicle on property owned, operated or controlled by NECC is subject to these regulations unless otherwise exempt by State and Federal laws, and except as otherwise provided herein. The General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Rules and Regulations of the Registry of Motor Vehicles shall apply to the College campus and other lands of the College. It is the responsibility of all persons utilizing the College parking facilities to be aware of these regulations and obey such regulations.

All motor vehicles coming onto and/or parked on college property must be in working order and have a valid registration from the appropriate state. Vehicles determined to be abandoned shall be towed from college property at the owner’s expense.

A person involved in a motor vehicle accident on campus or having damage to, or theft from their vehicle while parked on campus should report the incident immediately to the NECC Police Department.

Permission to operate a motor vehicle on the grounds owned, operated, or controlled by NECC is a discretionary privilege granted by the College.

Such privilege may be denied, revoked, suspended or modified by the action of the President or by Officers of the College authorized to take such action.

All College employees and students must comply with the rules and regulations regarding parking as part of employment, appointment, or enrollment. The regulations also apply to contractors/vendors and visitors and are considered part of the terms and permission to be on campus. The College does not guarantee available parking for all registered vehicles. During peak usage it may be necessary to utilize alternate parking areas.

Authority

The College has adopted these regulations and has authorized the Chief of Police and their designees to serve as parking enforcement. The Chief of Police has designated every NECC Police Officer for this purpose to expedite traffic and safeguard pedestrians. In the event of a fire, other emergency, or special events, municipal police officers or the State Police, or fire department personnel may direct or control traffic as conditions dictate, notwithstanding the provisions of these rules and regulations.

NECC assumes no risk or liability for damage or loss of vehicles, or vehicle contents when parked on NECC.

Authority to Post Signs

The Chief of Police, or their designee, is authorized to place and monitor all official traffic and parking signs, signals, and safety zones required on the campus and other lands of the College, including the placement of temporary signs and markings as may be specifically required by emergencies or other special circumstances. Operators of vehicles used in and about the campus and other lands of the College shall conform to such signs, signals, markings and safety zones.

Interference with Signs

Any person who willfully, intentionally and without right defaces or otherwise tampers with, removes, interferes with or destroys any traffic or parking regulating sign, light, signal or marking device lawfully erected or placed on the campus, or other lands of the College, shall be subject to prosecution under the applicable criminal statute(s) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Temporary Parking Regulation Changes

The Chief of Police or their designee, may at times during the year, suspend, change, or revise the normal operating parking regulations to meet the needs of the College community and its operating functions i.e., Concerts, VIP visits, Commencement, Admissions Open House, etc. During such events, the College community will be notified of any parking changes and alternative parking measures will be implemented for those parties who may be displaced from their designated parking areas.

Parking Permit Procedures

Faculty and Staff Application Process

All faculty must obtain a parking permit. When a fulltime faculty or staff member begins employment, the Human Resources Department will distribute the permit during the onboarding process. All part time/adjunct faculty and staff must email parking@necc.mass.edu to request a parking permit. The individual must list the request, their name, their department, their cell-phone number, and a Public Safety pick-up location. All Public Safety pick-up locations are located on the Haverhill campus at the Public Safety desk in room C-112 or on the Lawrence campus at the Public Safety desk at 414 Common Street. Please allow pick-up to be ready within 2-3 business days.

Faculty and Staff Policy

All Faculty and Staff are eligible for parking permits at no cost. All motor vehicles must be registered in their respective states. Only (1) hangtag will be given to each faculty and staff member. The hangtag is linked to the individual and not the vehicle. This allows individuals to use them interchangeably between vehicles, but it is the responsibility of the individual to have a visible hangtag showing when parked on campus. Hangtags are to hang from the rear-view mirror. The tag should be properly displayed at all times while on the campus.

All parking rules and regulations and pertinent Massachusetts General Laws are applicable to Faculty and Staff vehicles. All employees must comply with the rules and regulations regarding parking as part of employment/appointment.

Parking citations will be issued to Faculty and Staff vehicles found in violation of parking regulations and policy. The Chief of Police will notify habitual violators (more than three citations per year) in writing and the appropriate VP, Department Head/Dean, or Human Resources will be advised. Continued violations of the parking regulations or refusal to pay parking fines may result in the offenders parking privileges being revoked and/or referral to Human Resources for a formal charge of violating college policy. Vehicles with three (3) or more unpaid violations are subject to tow at owner’s expense.

Student Application Process

The Enrollment Services and Student Financial Services manages parking permits for all students.

All students in good standing are eligible to receive their parking permit when they register for their initial semester at NECC from the Welcome Express at either the Behrakis Student Center in Haverhill (SC Building) or the Dimitry building (45 Franklin St) in Lawrence.
Each semester a student registers for classes, they will receive a permit that identifies the semester they are registered for.

If you do not yet have your permit, you can pick one up at the Welcome Express at either campus. The Haverhill Welcome Express is located on the first floor of the Behrakis Student Center (SC) Building, and the Lawrence Welcome Express is located on the first floor of the El Hefni Building (414 Common St).

Student Policy

All students are eligible for parking permits. All motor vehicles must be registered in their respective states. Only (1) hangtag will be given to a student. The hangtag is linked to the student and not the vehicle. This allows students to use the hangtags interchangeably between vehicles. It is the responsibility of the student to have a visible hangtag showing when parked on campus to avoid possible sanctions.

Hangtags are to hang from the rearview mirror. The tag should be properly displayed at all times while on campus. Students MUST register their vehicle and affix a hang tag in the windshield
area. Student permits must be obtained each year. All parking rules, regulations, and pertinent Massachusetts General Laws are applicable to all student vehicles. All students must comply with the rules and regulations regarding parking as part of enrollment. The College does not guarantee parking will be available.

Students are responsible for all violations and fines incurred by a vehicle registered to them regardless of who was operating the car. Vehicles with three (3) or more unpaid violations are subject to tow at owner’s expense.

Vendors/Contractors Application Process

The hosting department will be responsible for issuing parking permits to their contractor, vendors, etc. Each department will receive an appropriate amount of permits. Each department will also be responsible for ensuring that issued passes are returned from their contractor, vendor, etc.

Vendors/Contractors Policy

All visitors are expected to abide by NECC’s Motor Vehicle Regulations. Overnight parking is not permitted without prior authorization from the NECC Police Department. Vehicles with three (3) or more unpaid violations are subject to tow at owner’s expense

Visitors Policy

Haverhill Campus Visitors:

Most of NECC’s parking areas are designated for students, faculty and staff and require a NECC permit. There is designated parking for visitors in the Hartleb Technology Center parking lot. The visitor parking lot is marked on the maps with a “VP” icon. During special events, Public Safety will designate certain areas for event parking. Department heads can request a guest pass for visitors by completing the Parking Pass Request Form.

Lawrence Campus Visitors:

Most of NECC’s parking areas are designated for students, faculty and staff and require a NECC permit. There are limited visitor parking spaces in the parking lot across from the El Hefni Building on Common Street. The parking area is marked on the map with a “C” icon. Additionally, there is city public parking available in the Buckley Garage or in the 420 Common St. lot. Please note, NECC is not responsible for any charges that incur from parking in the Buckley Garage or in the 420 Common St. lot. Department heads can request a guest pass for visitors by completing the Parking Pass Request Form.

Special Events

When a department is hosting a special event on campus and a large number of unregistered vehicles will be present, the event host must coordinate parking with the Director of Auxiliary Services. The NECC Police Department will work with the Director of Auxiliary Services to ensure that participants know where to park so normal college operations are not adversely impacted Event parking may be restricted to designated lots at the discretion of the Chief of
Police or their designee. Event hosts are responsible for notifying attendees of the parking rules and regulations.

Handicap Parking

State Handicap Placards or license plates are required for all designated handicap parking spaces. There are marked parking spaces on campus reserved for those persons who are handicapped. Person’s parking in handicapped accessible spaces must display the appropriate placard or plate issued from the Registry of Motor Vehicles or another appropriate agency. The person for whom the placard or plate is issued must be present.

EV Parking Guidelines

All EV charging stations are managed through the Chargepoint Mobile App. Users must have an account to use the charging stations on campus.

Charger Locations:

• Haverhill Campus, C Building parking lot
• 78 Amesbury St, Lawrence parking lot D

Important Information:

• Rates are listed on the Chargepoint app.
• Employee discount rates are available. Contact procurement@necc.mass.edu to request the discount code.
• Parking at EV charging stations is restricted to EV vehicles actively charging.
• Stations should only be occupied while charging.
• Vehicles must be moved within one hour after charging is complete.
• NECC Fleet designated stations are not for public or employee use.
• EV charging stations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Availability is not guaranteed, and stations may be closed for maintenance, construction, or special lot closures without notice.

Terms of Use:

• By using EV charging stations, participants agree that NECC is not responsible or liable for any damage to vehicles, insufficient battery charging, or any other damages arising from the use of the EV charging stations.
• NECC reserves the right to change the pricing for the use of its EV charging stations.

Violations

Vehicles in violation of the College parking policy may be ticketed or towed. This includes all faculty/staff, student, visitor and unregistered vehicles. In addition, any vehicles that pose a danger to public safety may be towed at the direction of the Chief of Police, any municipal police officer, or any State Police Trooper, or upon the request of any firefighter in the performance of their duties.

Payment of Parking Tickets

Parking violations are payable by mail to the Plymouth County Treasurer, or online at the Plymouth County Parking Website within 21 days of the date of issue. If the office is not open you may also contact the Plymouth County Commissioner’s Office (508-830-9140), 44 Obery St, Plymouth, MA 02360.

After 21 days unpaid violations will be reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) and subject to additional penalties.

Overdue parking violations are payable online at Plymouth County Parking Website

Appealing a Parking Fine

If you feel you were wrongly issued a parking violation you may appeal it within 21 days from the date of issue.

Tickets can be appealed online at the Plymouth County Parking Website.

After your appeal has been turned in to the office it is reviewed by NECC’s Public Safety Team. You will be notified in writing in approximately 14 – 21 days if your appeal was approved or denied.

To inquire about the status of an appeal please feel free to call the office at 978 556-3333 or e-mail parking@necc.mass.edu

Overnight Parking

Overnight parking is defined as midnight – 7 AM. Overnight parking is permitted on a limited basis with prior approval from the NECC Police Department.

Speed Limit/Traffic Regulations

The maximum speed on campus is 15 miles per hour. Vehicles must stop and yield to pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians always have the right of way; so please be vigilant and always use extreme caution. All traffic regulations including obeying stop signs, one-way signs, yielding to pedestrian’s signs, etc. are in effect on campus. NECC Police may be seen patrolling campus for violations of these regulations.

Operators in violation of civil sections of Chapter 89/90 laws are subject to being stopped and issued either a verbal warning, written warning, or citation. Operators violating criminal sections of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws, such as Operating under the Influence, Operating to Endanger or Operating after Suspension, while operating on campus may face criminal charges including arrest, in addition to college sanctions.

Lined Parking Spaces

Motor vehicles must be parked within the lined parking spaces. An improperly parked motor vehicle in an adjacent space does not constitute an excuse for straddling the painted line.

No Parking Areas

Parking is not permitted in the following areas:

• Walks, paths and lawn areas
• Crosswalks
• Loading docks and loading zones*
• Areas not marked with parking lines or, if not paved, as a parking lot
• Areas of diagonal lines/fire lane
• Areas where signs have been posted indicating “no parking”
• Areas that block egress or ingress of buildings
• Roadways/side of roadways on campus not specifically marked with parking spaces.
• EV Designated spots are limited to EV Vehicles only
* Special parking arrangements may be permitted for active loading and unloading by contractors/vendors, and others with prior authorization from Facilities and/or the NECC Police.

Snow Removal

As necessary during and/or after a snow storm, Facilities may require vehicles to move from designated parking areas to facilitate snow removal. Notices will be disseminated via electronic mail and, as appropriate, on other campus buildings. Cooperation with these requests is expected so that parking areas may be cleared. Motor vehicles impeding snow removal efforts may be subject to ticketing or towing.

Towing

Vehicles in violation of the College parking policy including unauthorized overnight parking during the snow season, repeated parking violations, failure to register a motor vehicle, parking on walks and lawns, illegal parking, and unauthorized use of handicapped parking spaces may result in immediate ticketing and/or towing at owner’s expense.

Parking Ticket Violation Fines

• failure to display parking decal $10
• overnight parking $30
• Designated No parking area $30
• more than 12’’ from curb $30
• parking on or over space markings $30
• double parking $30
• unauthorized visitor parking $30
• blocking gateway, entrance to field service road or pathway $30
• parking in delivery or service zone $30
• parked upon crosswalk or sidewalk $30
• fire lane (subject to immediate tow) $50
• obstructing snow removal (subject to immediate tow) $30
• parked in tow zone $30 (subject to immediate tow)
• parking on land not for vehicular traffic $30
• emergency vehicle area $30 (subject to immediate tow)
• obstructing building entrances or exits $30 (subject to immediate tow)
• parked in a reserved space $30 (subject to immediate tow)
• parked in EV parking $50
• within 10’ of fire hydrant $50
• handicap parking $200
• blocking handicap ramp $200