Somerset bylaw would set zones for sex offenders

Level 2 and 3 sex offenders won’t be able to take out a library book, participate in any public events at a park or school, join other adults in a pickup softball game at any playground, or spend more than 15 minutes conducting business in the town offices under a proposal that will come before voters at Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting.

It’s also unlikely that offenders will be allowed to attend future town meetings after Monday night, even if they have lived in Somerset for years.

The idea for the bylaw comes from Selectman Lorne Lawless, who said similar measures have been ruled constitutional in other communities.

“This regulation has passed constitutional muster,” and it uses the best language from other communities where the rules have been upheld, Lawless said last night. “We feel it will pass [Monday night] and we feel it will protect the children. That’s it.”