Sgt. Daniel Young
Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street
Portland, ME 04101

Dear Island Resident,

There has been a great deal of confusion regarding the insurance and registration
requirements for all Island vehicles and golf carts. Last year our State Representative
attempted  to have a law passed exempting Portland Island communities from certain state
motor vehicle laws. This effort  did not pass the State Legislature. The Portland Police
Department has determined that certain City of Portland ordinances and State of Maine
traffic laws are currently in effect for all islands  served by the City of Portland.

This is an open letter to all island residents advising you as to those ordinances and laws.
So as to be consistent with enforcement of these ordinances and laws, the Portland Police
will be visiting each island periodically over the summer. From now until June 15 th, 2004
warnings will be given regarding issues of insurance, registration and required equipment
on golf carts.  After June 15th 2004 a written summons will be issued.

It is the purpose of the Portland Police Department Island Affairs Division to treat all the
islands consistently so that there will be no confusion.

The City of Portland Ordinance in the Portland Code is section 28-185, which states:

1) Such golf carts shall be operated only in daylight, not earlier than ½ hour before sunrise
and not later than ½ hour after sundown, unless equipped with and utilizing suitable headlights
and taillights as determined by the PD; shall keep to the extreme right of the roadway; shall not
exceed a speed of 10 mph; and shall obey all traffic laws applicable to m/vs.
2) Each golf car be equipped with an auditory warning device; a visual safety flag on a whip
antenna at least 6' in height; slow vehicle markings; and display a sticker on the car showing
annual registration with the city treasury division as an island vehicle.
If in compliance with the above requirements; the operation of golf carts shall be permitted on
the streets of Cliff Island, Great Diamond Island, Little Diamond and Peaks Islands.

Relating to the state motor vehicle laws pertaining to registration and insurance they are
as follows: Title 29A section 501-2-H-C:

A. An automobile may be registered for an annual fee of $4.00 A low-speed vehicle or golf cart
may be registered for an annual fee of $4.00. The registrant must show evidence of payment
of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482. The municipality may collect an additional
$4.00 fee annually to defray the cost of removing abandoned vehicles or golf carts.

B. Any person operating a low-speed vehicle or a golf cart on an island must possess a valid
driving license in any class.

Title 29A Section 1601-1

1601. Required maintenance of financial responsibility
1. Requirement. An operator or owner of a vehicle registered in this State or required
to be registered in this State shall maintain the amounts of motor vehicle financial
responsibility.

Regarding residents of Great Diamond Island the island covenants which address the travel
on Great Diamond Island are being enforced by the Cities Planning Board. The police have
no jurisdiction over this regulation.

If there are any questions or concerns please contact the officers on Peaks Island or me
directly at 874-8778.

Respectfully,