metrowestdailynews.com : Marlborough adjusts sex offender ordinance.
The city of Marlborough no longer has the power to arrest sex offenders who loiter near restricted areas following the City Council's approval of changes to its registered sex offender ordinance last night.
Following recommendations by the state attorney general's office, the council approved removing the section that allows police to arrest registered sex offenders who continue to loiter near schools and other facilities. The city can now only fine violators of the ordinance, Councilor at large Steven Levy said after the meeting. Levy crafted the original ordinance, which restricts where registered sex offenders can live.
Under the ordinance, registered sex offenders must leave a specific area after police notify them that they are loitering. Registered sex offenders can not remain for more than 15 minutes within 500 feet of a school, school bus stop, day care center, park, recreational facility, elderly housing facility or facility for the mentally retarded. Mayor Nancy Stevens had requested the section giving the power to arrest if sex offenders continue to loiter after police notification, Levy said.
