Mendon's First Ordinances ~ Index
1870 to 1881
These are the first thirty-five Mendon City Ordinances, as taken from the first recorded meeting, held on December third, 1870 and going to April twelfth, of 1881—
No. 1- A peace ordinance. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Mendon that on and after the third day of December 1870 any person or persons making a disturbance in the streets around public buildings or around any private dwelling house, to the annoyance of the inmates there of, it shall be termed a breach of the peace, and the person or person's so doing upon conviction shall be fined not exceeding $25.00 each. {M.C.}
No. 2- An ordinance in relation to the killing or wounding of animals, and destruction of property and etc. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that any person or person's willfully or maliciously killing or wounding any horse, mule, ox, cow, sheep, swine, dog or any other animal, shall be responsible for all damage done, and on complaint being made shall be subjected to a fine not exceeding $25.00 nor less than $5.00 each.
Sec. 2nd: Any person or person's maliciously destroying the property of any person within the limits of the city or mischievously moving any wagon, sleigh or other property in ditches, across sidewalks or in the streets, shall be responsible for all damage done and on conviction shall be fined not exceeding $10.00 for first offense. {M.C.}
No. 3- An ordinance in relation to dead animals, nuisances and street or sidewalk obstructions. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that any person or person's owning any horse, mule, ox, cow, sheep, dog, swine, or any other animal that may die within the limits of the city shall be required to move, or cause to be moved the carcass of said animal, at least one-half mile from the city. And be it further ordained that any person or person's failing to comply with this ordinance shall on complaint being made, be subject to a fine not exceeding $5.00.
Sec. 2nd: And be it further ordained that any person having any nuisance on the street or sidewalk or place any encumbrances in the streets such as logs, large rocks or any thing that will endanger the safety of travel, shall be responsible for all damages done, and on complaint be subject to a fine not exceeding $25.00.
Sec. 3rd: And be it further ordained that any person or person's having any wood, logs wagons, sleighs, or any encumbrance whatever, on the streets or sidewalks shall be required to remove the same on or before the 15th day of December 1870. Any person refusing to comply with this ordinance shall be required to pay for the removal of the same to the City Marshall who will cause the same to be removed. {M.C.}
No. 4- An ordinance in relation to dogs and etc. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Any person owning a bitch when in heat shall be required to keep her confined during ten days. Any person failing to comply with this ordinance shall on complaint be subject to all damages incurred and be fined not exceeding $5.00.
Sec. 2nd: Any person owning a dog or bitch shall on and after the first day of January 1871 be subject to a tax of one dollar per year, to be paid to the City Assessors and collector on or before the first day of May 1871 if not paid by the time above specified the percent to be added. {M.C.}
No. 5- An ordinance requiring all shows or exhibitions to pay City License. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that any person or person's coming into this city with any show or exhibition of any kind whatsoever for the making of money shall pay a License of two dollars and fifty cents to be paid into the city treasury. {M.C.}
No. 6- An ordinance organizing the police and etc. and regulating the meeting of the City Council. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that there be a captain of police and four policemen appointed, who shall be conservators of the peace, who shall have power to arrest, with or without process any person or person's violating any city ordinance and if deemed necessary to detain the same forty eight hours in safe keeping, to be brought up for examination.
Sec. 2nd: Be it further ordained that the captain of police make a report of his proceedings to the city council every three months or oftener if required by the city council.
Sec. 3rd: Be it further ordained that the city council shall meet to transact business on the first Monday of every month at ten o'clock at the office of the Mayor. {M.C.}
No. 7- An ordinance in relation to technicalities of law. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that no ordinance or part of ordinance shall be so constructed as to mean other than the literal reading thereof and no part thereof nor any process issued shall be void for the want of legal technicalities. {M.C.}
No. 8- An ordinance regulating the fees of Justice of the Peace and their duties. Passed December 3rd 1870.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that the fees of a justice of the peace for issuing any process shall be fifty cents for each process issued and that he be required to report every three months of the transaction of all business done in his office to the Mayor and City Council. {M.C.}
No. 9- An act in relation to City Poll Tax. Passed January 1st 1871.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Mendon that on and after the first day of January 1871 every male resident of this city over eighteen and under fifty years of age, be required to pay three dollars a year or labor two days upon the streets of the city, payment there of to be made within five days from the time he is notified by the street supervisor, in default of payment is afore said, the same be collected as other taxes. {M.C.}
No. 10- An ordinance to protect the raising of fish. Passed January first, 1871.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that any person, or person's molesting or in any way disturbing any fishpond or other property belonging there to within the limits of this city whereas any damage is done they shall be held responsible for all damage done and on complaint being made shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $100.00 dollars. {M.C.}
No. 11- An ordinance in relation to putting out strychnine. Passed January 1st 1871.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that any person or person's putting out strychnine within one mile of the city and one half mile of any public road, shall be responsible for all damage done and on complaint shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $10.00 ten dollars. {M.C.}
No. 12- An ordinance in relation to swearing. Passed February 6th 1871.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Mendon that any person or person's profaning the name of the Deity or using profane language within the limits of the corporation shall upon complaint being made be subject to a fine not exceeding five dollars for the first offense. {M.C.}
No. 13- An ordinance in relation to the duties of the Street Supervisor. Passed February 6th 1871.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the mayor and City Council of Mendon that the street supervisor shall have power to control the water running through the streets of the city, to regulate the same, to see the ditches kept in repair, streets put in good condition and kept in good traveling order, to prohibit depositing in the street any rubbish, rocks or any thing whatever that will stop or endanger travel. {M.C.}
No. 14- An ordinance regulating the attendance of the members of the City Council and all city officers whose duty it is to report their proceedings to the City Council. Passed April 3rd 1871.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Mendon that on and after the third day of April 1871 any member of the City Council failing to appear at the office of the Mayor on the first Monday of every month at ten o'clock a.m. to transact such business as may be brought before the council, or failing to appear at any special meeting called by the mayor and City Council to transact such business as may be brought before the Council unless detained by sickness, or have been excused from attendance by the Mayor and City Council shall be subjected to a fine not exceeding $5.00 for the first offense.
Sec. 2nd: And be it further ordained that any officer of the city whom the laws of the city require to report to the Mayor and City Council of the amount of business transacted by them, failing to appear at the time specified shall be subjected to a fine not exceeding $6.00 for the first offense. No verbal report will be accepted but it must be made out in writing and in business style. {M.C.}
No. 14b- [#2] - Amendment to ordinance No. 14, Sec. 1st. Passed September 4th 1871.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of the city of Mendon that the first section of ordinance No. 14, an ordinance regulating the attendance of the City Council is hereby repealed. {M.C.}
No. 15- Amendment to ordinance No. 4, Sec. 2nd. Passed December 4th 1871.
Sec. 1st: In relation to the taxing of dogs. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council that all dogs within the limits of the city shall be subject to a tax of three dollars $3.00 per year. On and after the tenth day of January 1872. {M.C.}
No. 16- An ordinance to repeal an amendment to ordinance No. 4, Sec. 2nd in relation to the taxing of dogs. Passed January 9th 1872.Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Mendon that the amendment to ordinance No. 4, Sec. 2nd in relation to the taxing of dogs is hereby repealed and ordinance No. 4, Sec. 2nd shall remain in force as before the amendment. {M.C.}
No. 17- An Ordinance in relation to the shutting up of poultry. Passed March 4th 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Mendon City that all owners of poultry within the limits of this city, such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and pigeons wherein said poultry shall in any wise molest or disturb the gardens or farms of any person; the owners of said poultry shall be required to shut up and keep them confined on and after the first day of April to the first day of August of each year. Any person refusing to comply with this ordinance shall be liable to have their poultry shot by the person owing or possessing the ground wherein said poultry shall be found doing damage after being duly notified. The person shooting poultry shall be required to give the poultry shot to the lawful owner immediately after the shooting has been done. {M.C.}
No. 18- An ordinance providing for a City Election on Monday, August fifth and biennially thereafter. Passed July 16th 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon City that there shall be an election held in the City of Mendon at the usual place of holding elections to be for Mayor, six Councilor's and two Justices of the Peace, on Monday August the fifth, 1872 and biennially hereafter. Polls to open one hour after sunrise and close at sunset. {M.C.}
No. 19- An ordinance regulating the attendance of the City Council. Passed October 29th 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by City Council of Mendon that any member of the Council failing to appear at the office of the Mayor at the time appointed for meeting without a reasonable excuse shall pay a fine not exceeding five dollars $5.00 for the first offense. {M.C.}
No. 20- Amendment to ordinance No. 5. Passed October 29th 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that ordinance No. 5 be amended that instead of reading two dollars and fifty-cents. Read. Not to exceed ten dollars. {M.C.}
No. 21- Amendment to ordinance No. 8. Passed October 29th 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that ordinance No. 8 be so amended that after the words Justice of the Peace. Read. And all other City officers for issuing or serving any process of law, their fees shall be the same as contained in the Territorial statute. {M.C.}
No. 22- An ordinance repealing Sec. 2nd of ordinance No. 4 in relation to the taxing of dogs. Passed October 29th 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that Sec. 2nd of ordinance No. 4 in relation to the taxing of dogs is hereby repealed. {M.C.}
No. 23- An ordinance in relation to trading and peddling. Passed November 2nd 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that any person or person's coming into this City with any horses or mules, cattle or other animals for the purpose of trading, bartering or selling said animals; or should any peddlers come into this city with any wares or merchandise of any kind all such parties shall be required to appear at the office of the Mayor before commencing to trade and take out a City License which shall not exceed ten dollars $10.00. Any person refusing to comply with this ordinances shall upon convection be liable to a fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars for the first offense. {M.C.}
No. 24- An ordinance in relation to City Licenses for the sale of liquor. Passed November 2nd 1872.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City of Mendon that no person or person's in the City of Mendon shall be allowed to sell any spirituous, vinous, or fermented liquors until they have procured a City License for that purpose.
Sec. 2nd: And be it further ordained that the City License shall be fifty dollars $50.00 per quarter. And any person having a license to sell liquor's who shall allow any gambling, betting, games of hazard or chance; or shall permit any disorderly conduct on their premises shall be liable to have their license taken from them and on conviction be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars $100.00 for the first offense.
Sec. 3rd: Any person who shall sell any spirituous, vinous, or fermented liquors without license and who shall refuse to give it up upon being notified to do so by the police, shall be liable to have all barrels, liquors, glasses, fixtures, or anything that may assist to carry on such an establishment destroyed, when such a place shall be deemed a nuisance and an order issued from the City Council for its abatement. {M.C.}
No. 25- An ordinance in relations to the duties of City Marshall and other City officers. Passed February 8th 1873.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon City that there be a City Marshall appointed whose duty shall be to attend the Courts of the City, Justices of the Peace, to serve and make returns of all processes issued by the City Justices.
Sec. 2nd: And be it further ordained that the City Marshall before entering upon his duties shall be duly sworn and enter into bonds of $1000.00 one thousand dollars with approved security, said bonds to be deposited in the office of the City Recorder.
Sec. 3rd: And all City Officers are hereby required to give bonds in the sum of $500.00 five hundred dollars with approved security for the faithful performance of their duties. And the City Marshall is hereby empowered to appoint 1 one or more deputies to assist him in the performance of his duties. {M.C.}
No. 26- An ordinance in relations to fines. Passed April 22nd 1873.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that all ordinances wherein the penalty is a fine, that it shall be either fine or imprisonment with or without hard labor at the option of the court. {M.C.}
No. 27- An amendment to Ordinance No. 23. Passed April 26th 1876.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon, that ordinance No. 23 be amended so as to read after the word Merchandise or Machinery. {M.C.}
No. 28- An ordinance in relation to dragging wood and etc. across bridges. Passed November 22nd 1873.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that on or after the 27th day of November 1873 any person or persons dragging any wood or other material across any bridge or through any street in this city shall be subject to a fine not to exceed five dollars $5.00 for the first offense. {M.C.}
No. 29- An Ordinance in relation to violating the Sabbath by playing ball or other games during the hours of divine service. Passed May 4th 1875.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon City that on and after the fifteenth day of May, 1875 any person or persons found violating the Sabbath within the limits of this corporation by playing ball, jumping, wrestling or playing any other game during meetings or the hours of divine service shall upon complaint being made to any City Justice of the Peace be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred ($100.00) dollars for the first offense. {M.C.}
No. 30- An ordinance in relation to the price of cemetery lots. Passed December 22nd 1875.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that the price of the cemetery lots in Mendon city shall be five $5.00 dollars per lot. {M.C.}
No. 31- An ordinance in relation to water ditches and etc. Passed June 8th 1876.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon City that on and after the fifteenth (15th) day of June 1876 any person or persons opening any water ditch across any city lot or street within the limits of this city, without the consent of the Street Supervisor shall be responsible for all damages done and upon complaint being made to any City Justice of the Peace said person or persons shall be arrested and if convicted shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars for the first offense.
Sec. 2nd: And be it further ordained that all water ditches shall be placed on the line of lots where it is possible to be done, but no ditch shall be run so as to endanger any fence or buildings on or adjoining lot. {M.C.}
No. 32- An ordinance in relation to taxing dogs and etc. Passed June 8th 1876.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that on and after the 15th day of June 1876 it shall not be lawful for any person to own a dog within the limits of this city, without first making application to the City Recorder for that purpose and shall pay to said Recorder for the benefit of the city the annual sum of one dollar and fifty-cents ($1.50) should any person fail to comply with this ordinance, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed five dollars for the first offense. {M.C.}
No. 33- An Ordinance in relation to Merchandising and etc. Passed April 17th 1877.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that on and after the 19th day of April 1877 it shall not be lawful for any person or person's to sell any merchandise of any kind whatever within the limits of this city without first taking out a license for that purpose, said license shall be ten dollars per year for all who have a permanent place of business in the city, all other parties having merchandise, manufactured goods, jewelry, or any other class of articles for sale, who shall desire to sell their goods for one or more days in this city shall pay license at no less than one dollar nor more than ten dollars per day. Any person neglecting or refusing to take out license before commencing to sell, shall upon conviction be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars for the first offense. {M.C.}
No. 34- Ordinance for special election to be held on the first Monday in November 1878. Passed September 30th 1878.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council that there shall be a special election held in the city of Mendon on Monday the fourth day of November, 1878. For the purpose of electing a Mayor, six Councilors, one City Recorder, one Treasures, one City Marshall, said elections to be held at the usual place of holding elections. Polls to open at sunrise and close at sunset.
Sec. 2nd: And all subsequent elections to be held at prescribed by city ordinance. {M.C.}
No. 35- An ordinance for the registration of voters and to further regulate the manner of conducting elections in this city. Passed September 30th 1878.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the City Council of Mendon that the Assessor and Collector of this City and any deputy that may be appointed. {M.C.}
No. 35b- [#2] - An ordinance to prevent animals running at large, to the detriment of those wishing to improve their stock. Passed April 12th 1881.
Sec. 1st: Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Mendon City that all stallions and bulls found running at large inside the city limits on and after the 20th of April 1881 will be liable to be put in the pound, and the owners of said animals pay damages not exceeding $5.00 for each animal. {M.C.} 1
- Mendon City First Ordinances, Mendon City Ledger Book 1, 1870 to 1881.