ÿWPCó GÆa·Æ//?#”ª?i7æzJrÇ÷D†„Á-¯×éJÇÍr@XÔ¦~-ðb5+2dEÐ>öƒâÇ÷á›+5rçn‡{*.°:lïP.³cšy~™G&kYÁéb»·kÈp¢ÓÍ1«Ý£©Ö“;ÇO$Z÷ÁXÛ”¶‚ï3C±Üྣsýh#L0)Žû§ÆÆ?õ£ì…³UÂGã(Ê L7±0¸¨X¥3Ì‹â„ðª4–PýòßpœãïP&¸¨÷~À?2ÿsâ%9 #Ò7¬ ŽX‡w=ÆAò»WH©I—-ž©ðal oEöæq_k4uI£W!°õ}FŒuU*H[s( ï;/ƒ]¯^íþ­ñê ÑmäùýHµtôú@Ó˜\ ÒwÑ#/hM{Eî÷@|?aÁ°^ÜœfÕúHêÀüñækn5q†µUãˆNŽŒŸ÷LN6eGVÉ2e%?Iož>ªÞj'òfiÔðßÞdËü ï«Ð‰ˆÊ§ú~ݱþ¨ŽàqÄïzL—U˜|MbˆVdeµ=ƒáHÛ1ˆ ?Z³Y ›„üý_½¥­*:4ïò ^ã2ŽIËbáR ·ËºŽÚð^„ðûÃNU9¿-¾÷@ÈÊV¥B(#!0 %Q 0DW 0(›Ã 0 ÆËQ‘{â^ ] w@i 4© ½ Ì mÎ iå bN EV fX aZ Nn UFp "¶ ]ØUF5"{]UFú~@UF¾¾¾¾¾¾¾UFUNJU>˜ BÖ˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0X(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó($¡¡ (d:2ÔZ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€$Bt$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó GÝ ƒÔZ$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€$Bt$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€point€of€fact,€a€Town€resident€was€granted€a€permit€toÐ ° Ðhold€a€"live"€nativity€scene€and€service€on€the€Green€on€DecemberÏ23,€2000. qÝ ƒÔZ$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€$Bt$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Town,€citing€òòUnited€Statesóó€v.€òòO'Brienóó,€391€U.S.€367,€383„Ð ° Ð84€(1968),€argues€that€we€should€not€inquire€into€legislativeÏpurpose€when€a€statute€is€content„neutral€on€its€face.€€Here,Ð \¬ € Ðhowever,€both€the€text€of€the€statute€and€the€legislative€historyÏpoint€toward€neutrality,€so€we€need€not€and€do€not€decide€whetherÏsuch€an€inquiry€is€constitutionally€Ô_Ôrequired.Ô_Ôz„}+Æ wDxDyz{D|e}e~€ïýˆe+6Xê:i¢Ø+003|x€ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ _Ý ƒÔZ$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€$Bt$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€record€shows€that€one€of€the€two€churches€facing€theÐ ° ÐGreen€is€willing€to€have€the€crche€displayed€on€its€front€lawn€forÏthe€customary€six„week€interval.- ù-øÀTABLE A<4šÛ 9Z+‹.Courier New Regular Ý ƒ·Ú$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€²?$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Town's€longstanding€practice€of€permitting€the€crche€toÐ ° Ðbe€displayed€on€the€Green€without€a€permit€helps,€rather€thanÏhinders,€the€Town's€argument.€€That€practice€shows€a€receptivity€toÏthe€display€and,€contrary€to€the€Knights'€Ô_ÔimportuningsÔ_Ô,€creates€noÏentitlement€to€preferential€treatment€in€the€future. SÝ ƒÔZ$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€$Bt$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAlthough€the€plurality€opinion€in€òòCapitol€Squareóó€proposed€aÐ ° Ðper€se€rule€to€the€effect€that€the€government€may€not€violate€theÏEstablishment€Clause€by€providing€a€forum€for€private€religiousÏexpression,€òòseeóó€òòCapitol€Sq.óó,€515€U.S.€at€770,€a€majority€of€theÐ 2‚ ÐJustices€rejected€this€limited€abandonment€of€the€endorsementÏanalysis.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€787€(Souter,€J.,€with€whom€O'Connor€andÐ Þ. ÐÔ_ÔBreyerÔ_Ô,€JJ.,€joined,€concurring);€òòid.óó€at€799€(Stevens,€J.,Ð ´  Ðdissenting);€òòid.óó€at€817„18€(Ô_ÔGinsburgÔ_Ô,€J.,€dissenting).ÿ.Courier New Regular Ý ƒÔZ$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€$Bt$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Town's€longstanding€practice€of€permitting€the€crche€toÐ ° Ðbe€displayed€on€the€Green€without€a€permit€helps,€rather€thanÏhinders,€the€Town's€argument.€€That€practice€shows€a€receptivity€toÏthe€display€and,€contrary€to€the€Knights'€Ô_ÔimportuningsÔ_Ô,€creates€noÏentitlement€to€preferential€treatment€in€the€future. SÝ ƒ·Ú$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€²?$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAlthough€the€plurality€opinion€in€òòCapitol€Squareóó€proposed€aÐ ° Ðper€se€rule€to€the€effect€that€the€government€may€not€violate€theÏEstablishment€Clause€by€providing€a€forum€for€private€religiousÏexpression,€òòseeóó€òòCapitol€Sq.óó,€515€U.S.€at€770,€a€majority€of€theÐ 2‚ ÐJustices€rejected€this€limited€abandonment€of€the€endorsementÏanalysis.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€at€787€(Souter,€J.,€with€whom€O'Connor€andÐ Þ. ÐÔ_ÔBreyerÔ_Ô,€JJ.,€joined,€concurring);€òòid.óó€at€799€(Stevens,€J.,Ð ´  Ðdissenting);€òòid.óó€at€817„18€(Ô_ÔGinsburgÔ_Ô,€J.,€dissenting).ÿ.Courier New Regular tÝ ƒ·Ú$ÝÓ  ÓÓ=€²?$XÐXdÐd=Óà  àÓÓòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Town,€citing€òòUnited€Statesóó€v.€òòO'Brienóó,€391€U.S.€367,€383„Ð ° Ð84€(1968),€argues€that€we€should€not€inquire€into€legislativeÏpurpose€when€a€statute€is€content„neutral€on€its€face.€€Here,Ð \¬ € Ðhowever,€both€the€text€of€the€statute€and€the€legislative€historyÏpoint€toward€neutrality,€so€we€need€not€and€do€not€decide€whetherÏsuch€an€inquiry€is€constitutionally€Ô_Ôappropriate.Ô_Ôÿ.Courier New Regularÿ.Courier New Regular(ÈhH  Z6Times New Roman Regular&Courier Regular dÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTRXà3Ø'Xà3Ø' Letter3Ø' Letterÿ3Ø'TÑÑ ? ÑÙ*ƒ !Ùò òÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ‡°¹7°XXÔÔ‡%°®B°°°¹7ÔUnited€States€Court€of€AppealsÐ ° ÐÔ#†%X™£X°%°®BÅ#ÔÔ‡%„ ÷„X%X™£ÔFor€the€First€CircuitÔ#†%X™£X„%„ ÷Y#ÔÔ#†XBtXX%X™£ä#Ôó óÐ à ÐÓ¹ÓÌÌßA€') °°` dE<£ ` AßÐ ¤ ô ÐÌÌNo.€01„2460ÌÌà@P P ìàKNIGHTS€OF€COLUMBUS,€COUNCIL€#94,€ET€AL.,ˆÌÌà@ˆˆìàPlaintiffs,€Appellants,ˆÌÌà@tt)ìàv.ˆÌÌà@ìàTOWN€OF€LEXINGTON€ET€AL.,ˆÌÌà@ÄÄìàDefendants,€Appellees.ˆÌÌßA€') °°` dE<f` AßÐ g· ÐÌà@œ œ ìàAPPEAL€FROM€THE€UNITED€STATES€DISTRICT€COURTˆÌÌà@0 0 ìàFOR€THE€DISTRICT€OF€MASSACHUSETTSˆÌÌà@P P ìà[Hon.€Nancy€Ô_ÔGertnerÔ_Ô,€òòU.S.€District€Judgeóó]ˆÐ ¤ô ÐÌßA€') °°` dE<O` AßÐ P  ÐÌà@„„'ìàBeforeˆÌÌÓ  Óà@@((ìà€Selya€and€Lipez,€òòCircuit€Judgesóó,Ð á1 ÐÌand€Ô_ÔSingalÔ_Ô,*€òòDistrict€Judgeóó.Ð Ý! ÐÌßA€') °°` dE<8!` AßÐ 9!‰# ÐÌÓ  ÓÓ  Óà  àòòChester€Darlingóó,€with€whom€òòRobert€Ô_ÔRoughsedgeÔ_Ôóó€and€òòMichaelÐ "n% ÐWilliamsóó€were€on€brief,€for€appellants.Ð ô"D& Ðà  àòòÔ_ÔJordanaÔ_Ô€Glasgowóó,€with€whom€òòDaryl€Lappóó€and€òòPalmer€&€Dodge,€Ô_ÔLLPÔ_ÔóóÐ Ê#' Ðwere€on€brief,€for€appellees.ÌÌÌÔ*‹ƒ'ddd Xdd Xdd X°(#°(#‹ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ  "'r"+ ‹‹ÐÓ Óñ€ñÐ SI†'Ö", à,â@37223„„‰à,â@‰‹‹SÐñ€ññ€ñÐ 0&†'Ö", „„‹‹0Ðñ€ñÌññNovember€29,€2001ññÌÐ 0&!2)‚$/" ‹‹0ÐÐ(†'Ö"0  (ÐÓ  ÓÙ* !ÙÌÌÓ  ÓÌ_______________Ì*Of€the€District€of€Maine,€sitting€by€designation.Ð  -à(4? ÐÑ  ÑÓÓÑ8€&9÷&X XdÈXXdÖ8ÑÑ€ÑÓ*°,X°` ¨ ƒX°œX*Óà ` àò òSELYA,€òòCircuit€Judgeóó.ó ó€€This€appeal€requires€us€to€decideÐ ° Ðwhether€the€Town€of€Lexington,€Massachusetts€(the€Town)€violatedÏthe€First€Amendment€by€adopting€a€regulation€that€bans€unattendedÏstructures€from€the€historic€Battle€Green.€€The€plaintiffs€allegeÏthat€this€regulation€infringes€their€First€Amendment€rights€andÏthat€the€Town€adopted€it€for€an€improper€purpose,€òòviz.óó,€to€excludeÐ ( x  Ðthe€annual€religious€display€of€a€Ô_ÔcrcheÔ_Ô€from€the€Battle€Green.€ÏThey€also€allege€that,€in€all€events,€the€Town's€selectiveÏapplication€of€the€regulation€following€its€adoption€renders€itÏconstitutionally€infirm.Ìà ` àThe€district€court€found€these€charges€unpersuasive€andÏgranted€summary€judgment€in€the€Town's€favor.€€We€affirm:€€theÏrecord€shows€beyond€hope€of€contradiction€that€the€ban€onÏunattended€structures€is€a€content„neutral€restriction€on€the€time,Ïplace,€and€manner€of€speech,€narrowly€tailored€to€achieve€aÏsignificant€governmental€interest€and€framed€so€as€to€allow€accessÏto€ample€alternative€avenues€of€communication.€€By€the€same€token,Ïthere€is€no€violation€of€the€Free€Exercise€Clause€because€theÏregulation€is€a€neutral€law€of€general€applicability.€€Lastly,€theÏplaintiffs'€claims€of€selective€enforcement€fail€due€to€evidentiaryÏinsufficiency;€the€regulation€was€only€intended€to€apply€to€privateÏparties,€and€there€is€nothing€in€the€record€that€shows€preferentialÏtreatment€in€respect€to€any€unattended€structure€erected€by€such€aÏparty.Ð @+&. Ðò òI.€€BACKGROUNDó óÐ ° Ðà ` àThe€situs€of€this€controversy€is€the€historic€BattleÏGreen€(the€Green)€ð"ð€the€very€place€where€the€first€battle€of€theÏRevolutionary€War€occurred.€€Seven€of€the€eight€minutemen€killedÏduring€the€battle€are€buried€there,€and€the€Minuteman€Statue€ð"ðÏlocated€at€the€apex€of€the€Green€ð"ð€memorializes€the€AmericanÏcolonists€who€fought€in€the€Revolutionary€War.€€The€Green€is€aÏregistered€historic€landmark,€owned€and€maintained€by€the€Town.Ìà ` àThe€Town's€governing€legislative€body€is€the€Board€ofÏSelectmen€(the€Board).€€The€Board€is€entrusted€with€suzeraintyÏover,€and€protection€of,€the€Green.€€In€the€exercise€of€thatÏfunction,€the€Board€from€time€to€time€promulgates€rules€governingÏthe€use€of€the€Green.€€Historically,€these€rules€have€allowed€forÏa€wide€range€of€public€uses,€including€recreational€activities€andÏactivities€involving€the€expression€of€political,€religious,€andÏother€views.€€The€rules€divide€activities€on€the€Green€into€threeÏcategories:€€(1)€allowed€activities,€(2)€forbidden€activities,€andÏ(3)€activities€for€which€a€permit€is€required.€€To€illustrate,Ïpicnicking€in€small€groups€is€allowed€as€a€matter€of€right;Ïcommercial€solicitation€is€prohibited€altogether;€and€rallies€areÏallowed€if€a€permit€is€first€obtained€(but€otherwise€areÏforbidden).Ìà ` àFor€most€of€the€twentieth€century,€the€Ô_ÔcrcheÔ_Ô€ð"ð€aÏfigurine€representation€of€Christ's€nativity€in€the€stable€atÐ @+&. ÐBethlehem€ð"ð€appeared€on€the€Green€for€roughly€six€weeks€each€yearÏ(in€late€November€and€December).€€For€some€thirty€years,€the€TownÏhad€erected€the€Ô_ÔcrcheÔ_Ô,€disassembled€it,€and€stored€the€components.€ÏIn€or€around€1973,€however,€two€fraternal€organizations€ð"ð€theÏKnights€of€Columbus€and€the€Masons€ð"ð€assumed€responsibility€forÏthese€tasks.€Ìà ` àThere€is€evidence€that€the€display€of€the€Ô_ÔcrcheÔ_Ô€long€hasÏbeen€a€source€of€friction€within€the€Town,€and€that€some€residentsÏcomplained€bitterly€about€its€presence€on€the€Green.€€For€the€mostÏpart,€however,€the€regulations,€insofar€as€they€pertained€to€theÏÔ_ÔcrcheÔ_Ô€at€all,€seem€to€have€been€honored€more€in€the€breach€than€inÏthe€observance.€€Despite€the€fact€that€the€regulations€haveÏrequired€a€permit€for€a€religious€display€of€this€type€since€atÏleast€1982,€no€permit€ever€was€sought€or€demanded€prior€to€theÏerection€of€the€Ô_ÔcrcheÔ_Ô€in€any€year€before€1999.Ìà ` àBeginning€in€the€fall€of€1998,€the€issue€was€repeatedlyÏdiscussed€at€the€Board's€meetings.€€A€group€consisting€of€clergyÏand€citizens€with€various€viewpoints€was€formed€to€study€theÏproblem€and€suggest€solutions.€€This€committee€reported€to€theÏBoard€on€September€27,€1999.€€It€unanimously€concluded€thatÏ"private€citizens€do€have€the€right€to€have€religious€observancesÏon€the€common€land€within€guidelines€established€by€the€town,"€butÏsuggested€that€a€shortened€display€period€might€be€a€reasonableÏcompromise.€€For€the€1999€season,€the€owners€of€the€Ô_ÔcrcheÔ_Ô,Ð $+t&. ÐÔ_Ôincluding€the€Knights€of€Columbus,€agreed€to€a€display€period€ofÏthree€weeks.Ìà ` àSubsequent€to€the€Board's€decision€to€allow€the€three„¼week€display,€it€began€receiving€requests€to€allow€a€wide€range€ofÏother€religious€structures€on€the€Green€for€comparable€periods.€ÏOne€group€desired€to€place€a€sign€near€the€crche€indicating€someÏcitizens'€objections€to€its€presence€on€public€land.€€OtherÏapplicants€requested€permission€for€a€display€honoring€witchcraftÏat€Halloween€and€for€the€erection€of€a€pyramid€to€honor€theÏEgyptian€Sun€God€Ra€during€the€month€of€April.€€Yet€anotherÏresident€inquired€about€the€possibility€of€erecting€a€Sukkah,€anÏopen€hut„like€structure,€to€commemorate€the€Jewish€harvest€festivalÏof€Sukkoth.Ìà ` àThe€minutes€of€the€Board's€meetings€reveal€a€keenÏawareness€that€if€it€continued€to€allow€a€display€of€the€crche,Ïmany€of€these€competing€applications€would€have€to€be€granted.€€TheÏBoard€thus€believed€that€it€was€on€the€horns€of€a€dilemma:€€itÏcould€not€constitutionally€pick€and€choose€among€competingÏapplications,€but€granting€them€all€likely€would€compromise€theÏaesthetic€and€historic€elements€of€the€Green.€€After€seeking€legalÏadvice,€the€Board€modified€the€rules€governing€use€of€the€Green€inÏseveral€ways.€€First,€it€limited€permit€eligibility€for€publicÏexpressions€on€the€Green€to€active€events€of€less€than€eight€hoursÏin€duration.€€Second,€it€restricted€displays€of€a€ceremonial€natureÐ $+t&. Ðto€those€"in€connection€with€special€events€and€limited€in€durationÏto€the€period€required€for€such€events."€€Third,€it€added€anÏexplicit€prohibition€against€"placement€on€the€Green€of€anyÏunattended€structure."€€For€ease€in€reference,€we€annex€a€copy€ofÏthe€regulation,€as€amended,€as€an€appendix€to€this€opinion.Ìà ` àOn€October€19,€2000,€the€Knights€of€Columbus€and€theÏorganization's€grand€knight,€Michael€O'Sullivan€(collectively,€theÏKnights),€applied€for€a€permit€to€erect€the€crche€on€the€Green.€ÏThe€application€was€constructively€denied,€although€the€BoardÏintimated€that€a€one„day€event€that€included€the€crche€would€beÏapproved.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð h¸ Ðà ` àDismayed€by€the€new€regulation€and€the€concomitant€ousterÏof€the€crche,€the€Knights€sued.€€Although€they€claimed€abridgementÏof€their€free€speech€and€free€exercise€rights,€the€district€courtÏrefused€to€grant€a€preliminary€injunction.€€òòKnights€of€Columbusóó€v.Ð h ÐòòTown€of€Lexingtonóó,€124€F.€Supp.€2d€119€(D.€Mass.€2000).€€WeÐ Ä Ðsummarily€affirmed€that€denial€in€an€unpublished€order.Ìà ` àIn€subsequent€proceedings,€the€Knights€attempted€to€showÏarbitrariness€in€the€enforcement€of€the€new€regulation.€€TheyÏintroduced€evidence€tending€to€prove€that€bleachers€and€a€platformÏâ âtruck€were€left€unattended€on€the€Green€for€several€days€prior€toÐ  &p!( Ða€Patriots'€Day€celebration,€and€that€an€unattended€podium€wasÏallowed€to€remain€overnight€around€Memorial€Day.Ìâ âà ` àIn€due€course,€the€district€court€granted€summaryÏjudgment€for€the€defendants€(the€Town€and€various€Town€hierarchs).€ÏWe€expedited€the€Knights'€ensuing€appeal€in€an€effort€to€resolveÏthe€matter€in€advance€of€the€Christmas€season.Ìò òII.€€STANDARD€OF€REVIEWó óÐ ¸  Ðà ` àWe€review€a€grant€of€summary€judgment€de€novo,€examiningÏthe€record€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€nonmovant€andÏindulging€all€reasonable€inferences€in€that€party's€favor.€€òòSuarezóóÐ Ø( Ðv.€òòPueblo€Int'l,€Inc.óó,€229€F.3d€49,€53€(1st€Cir.€2000).€€We€willÐ „Ô Ðuphold€the€grant€of€summary€judgment€only€when€there€is€no€genuineÏissue€of€material€fact€and€the€moving€party€is€entitled€to€judgmentÏas€a€matter€of€law.€€Fed.€R.€Civ.€P.€56(c).€€Here,€the€relevantÏfacts€are€largely€undisputed,€so€our€analysis€focuses€on€the€legalÏquestion€of€whether€either€the€new€regulation€or€its€applicationÏoffend€the€First€Amendment.Ìò òIII.€€THE€FREE€SPEECH€CLAIMó óÐ 8!ˆ" Ðà ` àThe€Free€Speech€Clause€of€the€United€States€ConstitutionÏlies€at€the€heart€of€the€Knights'€appeal.€€We€organize€ourÏdiscussion€of€this€claim€in€segments.Ìà@LLìàò òA.€€òòThe€Legal€Frameworkóó.ó óˆÐ (T#* Ðà ` àThe€Free€Speech€Clause€provides,€in€terms,€that€"CongressÏshall€make€no€law€.€.€.€abridging€the€freedom€of€speech€.€.€.€."€Ð x+È&. ÐU.S.€Const.€Amend.€I.€€Under€the€aegis€of€the€Fourteenth€Amendment,Ïthis€prohibition€applies€equally€to€states€and€their€politicalÏsubdivisions.€€òòSeeóó€òòCantwellóó€v.€òòConn.óó,€310€U.S.€296,€303€(1940).€Ð X ÐDespite€the€uncompromising€language€in€which€this€proscription€isÏcouched,€it€is€not€absolute.Ìà ` àThe€Supreme€Court€has€articulated€a€framework€forÏdetermining€whether€a€particular€regulation€impermissibly€infringesÏupon€free€speech€rights.€€That€framework€dictates€the€level€ofÏjudicial€scrutiny€that€is€due€ð"ð€and€that€choice,€in€turn,€informsÏthe€nature€of€the€restrictions€on€free€speech€that€may€beÏpermissible€in€a€public€forum.€€òòMcGuireóó€v.€òòReillyóó,€260€F.3d€36,€42Ð h¸ Ð(1st€Cir.€2001).Ìà ` àThe€triage€works€this€way.€€The€bedrock€rule€is€thatÏgovernment€may€not€prohibit€all€communicative€activity€in€a€publicÏforum.€€òòPerry€Educ.€Ass'nóó€v.€òòPerry€Local€Educ.€Ass'nóó,€460€U.S.€37,Ð h Ð46€(1983).€€Content„based€prohibitions€may€endure€ð"ð€but€only€ifÏthey€are€justified€by€compelling€state€interests.€€òòCapitol€Sq.€Rev.Ð pÀ  Ð&€Advisory€Bd.óó€v.€òòPinetteóó,€515€U.S.€753,€761€(1995).€€Accordingly,Ð !l" Ðsuch€prohibitions€engender€strict€judicial€scrutiny.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€Ð È"$ ÐContent„neutral€restrictions€pose€less€of€a€threat€to€freedom€ofÏexpression.€€Consequently,€content„neutral€restrictions€on€theÏtime,€place,€and€manner€of€speech€trigger€an€intermediate€type€ofÏscrutiny€such€that€they€will€be€upheld€as€long€as€they€areÏ"narrowly€tailored€to€serve€a€significant€governmental€interest,Ð $+t&. Ðand€allow€for€reasonable€alternative€channels€of€communication."€Ð ° ÐòòGlobe€Newspaper€Co.óó€v.€òòBeacon€Hill€Arch'l€Comm'nóó,€100€F.3d€175,€186Ð \¬ Ð(1st€Cir.€1996).Ìà ` àHere,€the€Town's€limitation€of€free€speech€on€the€GreenÏis€not€absolute:€€the€new€regulation€merely€prohibits€one€manner€ofÏexpression€(unattended€structures)€in€a€particular€place€(theÏGreen)€at€certain€times€(when€unconnected€with€an€event).€€SinceÏthe€Town€does€not€deny€that€the€Knights€have€a€free€speech€interestÏin€exhibiting€the€crche€or€that€the€Green€is€a€public€forum,€theÏsalient€question€is€whether€the€restriction€is€content„based€orÏcontent„neutral.€€It€is€to€that€question€that€we€now€turn.Ìà@@ @ ìàò òB.€€òòContent„Based€or€Content„Neutralóó?ó óˆÐ d Ðà ` àTo€ascertain€whether€a€regulation€is€content„based,€anÏinquiring€court€must€determine€whether€it€regulates€speech€becauseÏof€disagreement€with€the€particular€message€that€the€speechÏconveys.€€òòId.óó€at€183.€€The€Knights€concede,€as€they€must,€that€theÐ à0 Ðlanguage€of€the€regulation€is€facially€neutral.€€The€ban€onÏunattended€structures€is€comprehensive;€it€does€not€discriminateÏamong€types€of€unattended€structures,€and€certainly€does€not€singleÏout€the€crche.€€Thus,€the€Knights'€argument€boils€down€to€a€plaintÏthat€the€legislative€history€demonstrates€that€the€regulation'sÏprimary€purpose€is€to€prevent€display€of€the€crche.ñ~ñ׃×ñ~ññ~ñ׃×ñ~ñÝ ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð è'8#* Ðà ` àIn€making€this€argument,€the€Knights€rely€heavily€on€aÏ"free€exercise"€case,€òòChurch€of€Lukumi€Babalu€Aye,€Inc.óó€v.€òòCity€ofÐ \¬ ÐHialeahóó,€508€U.S.€520€(1993).€€There,€the€Supreme€Court€ruled€thatÐ X Ða€municipal€ordinance€prohibiting€cruelty€to€animals€wasÏunconstitutional€because€it€was€targeted€at€preventing€theÏsacrificial€rites€practiced€by€adherents€of€the€Santeria€religion.€ÏòòId.óó€at€547.€€But€òòHialeahóó€is€readily€distinguishable€because€theÐ ¸  Ðordinance€at€issue€there€was€riddled€with€exceptions€thatÏeffectively€made€it€applicable€only€to€Santeria€worshipers.€€òòSeeóóÐ `  Ðòòid.óó€at€535.€€Thus,€the€ordinance€ð"ð€unlike€the€regulation€at€issueÐ ¼  Ðhere€ð"ð€was€not€content„neutral€in€its€operation.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óó€€ForÐ h¸ Ðpresent€purposes,€the€most€that€òòHialeahóó€teaches€is€that€a€court€mayÐ d Ðhave€to€look€beyond€the€bare€language€of€a€regulation€to€determineÏwhether€its€justification€is€content„neutral.€€òòSeeóó,€òòe.g.óó,€òòWardóó€v.Ð l¼ ÐòòRock€Against€Racismóó,€491€U.S.€781,€791€(1989)€("[G]overnmentÐ h Ðregulation€of€expressive€activity€is€content€neutral€so€long€as€itÏis€òòjustifiedóó€without€reference€to€the€content€of€the€regulatedÐ pÀ  Ðspeech.");€òòD.H.L.€Assocs.óó€v.€òòO'Gormanóó,€199€F.3d€50,€57€(1st€Cir.Ð !l" Ð1999)€(same).Ìà ` àIn€the€instant€case,€there€is€nothing€in€the€record€thatÏevinces€a€content„based€animus€against€the€crche.€€On€theÏcontrary,€the€Board€proposed€the€new€regulation€only€after€requestsÐ Ì'#* Ðfor€permits€for€alternative€religious€displays€began€to€sprout.€ÏMindful€of€the€strictures€of€the€Establishment€Clause,€the€BoardÏreasonably€assumed€that€it€must€treat€all€applications€forÏreligious€displays€alike,€regardless€of€the€message€conveyed.€ÏFearing€a€flood€of€applications€and€a€corresponding€cluttering€ofÏthe€Green,€the€Board€devised€a€regulation€prohibiting€òòallóóÐ  \  Ðunattended€structures.€€This€is€a€far€cry€from€an€invidiousÏsingling„out€of€the€crche.ñ|ñ׃×ñ|ññ|ñ׃×ñ|ñÝ ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð d´  Ðà ` àThe€only€inference€that€the€record€permits€is€that€theÏnew€regulation€was€conceived€out€of€a€desire€to€treat€all€religiousÏexpression€even„handedly.€€If€the€Knights€feel€that€the€burden€ofÏthe€regulation€falls€most€heavily€on€them,€it€is€perhaps€becauseÏthey€are€now€held€to€the€same€standard€as€all€other€similarlyÏsituated€applicants.€€While€the€adjustment€may€not€be€an€easy€one,Ïthe€outcome€is€inescapably€content„neutral.ò òó óÐ h Ðà@ìàò òC.€€òòSignificant€Governmental€Interest/Narrow€Tailoringóó.ó óˆÐ Ä Ðà ` àHaving€determined€that€the€regulation€is€content„neutral,Ïwe€now€apply€intermediate€scrutiny€to€ascertain€whether€it€isÏnarrowly€tailored€to€achieve€a€significant€governmental€interest.€Ïâ âòòMcGuireóó,€260€F.3d€at€43.Ð $à& Ðà ` àThe€Town€asserts€that€its€interest€in€preserving€theÏâ âhistorical€and€aesthetic€qualities€of€the€Green€amply€justifies€theÏrestriction.€€This€is€a€theoretically€sound€position.€€After€all,Ïin€òòGlobe€Newspaperóó,€we€upheld,€against€a€free€speech€challenge,€aÐ ´  Ðban€on€news€racks€in€a€historic€Boston€neighborhood.€€100€F.3d€atÏ195.€€We€recognized€there€that€aesthetic€preservation€may€warrantÏa€content„neutral€restriction€on€speech€in€a€public€forum.€€òòId.óó€atÐ ¸  Ð187.€€As€was€true€in€òòGlobe€Newspaperóó,€the€Town's€interest€inÐ d´  Ðaesthetic€preservation€qualifies€as€a€significant€one.€€Moreover,Ïthat€interest€is€enhanced€here€by€the€site's€designation€as€aÏnational€historic€landmark.Ìà ` àIn€an€attempt€to€blunt€the€force€of€this€conclusion,€theÏKnights€argue€that€the€regulation€is€not€narrowly€tailored€to€theÏachievement€of€this€aesthetic€rationale.€€They€make€three€points:€Ïfirst,€that€it€is€not€only€unattended€structures€that€produceÏclutter;€second,€that€the€Town€should€have€pursued€alternativesÏless€restrictive€than€a€total€ban;€and€third,€that€the€crche€isÏaesthetically€pleasing.€€The€first€two€parts€of€this€argument€areÏplainly€misguided.€€The€narrow€tailoring€requirement€"does€notÏmandate€a€least€restrictive€means€analysis."€€òòNat'l€Amusements,Ð t$Ä& ÐInc.óó€v.€òòTown€of€Dedhamóó,€43€F.3d€731,€744€(1st€Cir.€1995).€€Thus,Ð  &p!( Ðthe€Town€was€"[not]€required€to€implement€or€experiment€with€otherÏalternatives€before€finally€choosing€the€total€ban."€€òòGlobeÐ x)È$, ÐNewspaperóó,€100€F.3d€at€189€n.15.€€The€"narrow€tailoring"Ð $+t&. Ðrequirement€is€satisfied€as€long€as€the€particular€"regulationÏpromotes€a€substantial€government€interest€that€would€be€achievedÏless€effectively€absent€the€regulation."€€òòNat'l€Amusementsóó,€43€F.3dÐ X Ðat€744.Ìà ` àHere,€moreover,€the€regulation€appears€entirely€logicalÏwhen€one€recalls€that€it€was€adopted€amid€a€concatenation€ofÏEstablishment€Clause€concerns.€€òòSeeóó€òòGood€News€Clubóó€v.€òòMilford€Cent.Ð ¸  ÐSch.óó,€121€S.€Ct.€2093,€2103€(2001)€(stating€that€avoiding€anÐ d´  ÐEstablishment€Clause€violation€may€be€a€compelling€state€interestÏjustifying€even€content„based€restrictions€on€speech).€€The€TownÏlegitimately€could€conclude€that€unattended€displays€were€moreÏlikely€to€present€Establishment€Clause€issues€than€attended€onesÏbecause,€for€instance,€a€reasonable€observer€might€be€confused€asÏto€the€source€of€the€message.ñ}ñ׃×ñ}ññ}ñ׃×ñ}ñÝ ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€òòCf.óó€òòCapitol€Sq.óó,€515€U.S.€at€778„79Ð l¼ Ð(O'Connor,€J.,€concurring).€€This€is€significant€because€theÏcontext€of€a€religious€display€is€crucial€in€determining€itsÏconstitutionality.€€òòCompareóó€òòCounty€of€Alleghenyóó€v.€òòACLUóó,€492€U.S.Ð pÀ  Ð573,€621€(1989)€(forbidding€display€of€a€crche€in€a€countyÏcourthouse),€òòwithóó€òòLynchóó€v.€òòDonnellyóó,€465€U.S.€668,€685€(1984)Ð È"$ Ð(permitting€inclusion€of€a€crche€in€añvñ€municipality'sñvññwñnñwñ€outdoorÏholiday€display).Ìà ` àWe€note,€too,€that€the€Supreme€Court€has€explicitlyÏindicated€that€a€total€ban€on€unattended€structures€in€a€publicÏforum€would€pass€constitutional€muster.€€In€òòCapitol€Squareóó,€aÐ ` ° Ðmajority€of€the€Justices€(the€plurality,€plus€Justices€Souter€andÏStevens)€specifically€agreed€that€"[the€state]€could€ban€allÏunattended€private€displays"€in€a€public€forum.€€òòId.óó€at€783Ð d´  Ð(Souter,€J.,€concurring);€òòaccordóó€òòid.óó€at€761€(plurality€opinion);Ð `  Ðòòid.óó€at€803€(Stevens,€J.,€dissenting).€€Various€decisions€of€theÐ ¼  Ðcourts€of€appeals€are€to€like€effect.€€òòE.g.óó,€òòAm.€Jewish€Cong.óó€v.Ð h¸ ÐòòCity€of€Beverly€Hillsóó,€90€F.3d€379,€384€(9th€Cir.€1996)€("The€cityÐ d Ðconstitutionally€could€ban€all€unattended€private€displays€in€itsÏparks.");€òòCongregation€Lubavitchóó€v.€òòCity€of€Cincinnatióó,€923€F.2dÐ l¼ Ð458,€460€(6th€Cir.€1991)€(similar);€òòLubavitch€Chabad€House,€Inc.óó€v.Ð h ÐòòCity€of€Chicagoóó,€917€F.2d€341,€347€(7th€Cir.€1990)€(similar).€Ð Ä ÐFinding€no€reason€why€the€case€before€us€demands€a€differentÏoutcome,€we€hold€that€the€total€ban€on€unattended€structures€isÏboth€content„neutral€and€narrowly€tailored€to€achieve€a€substantialÏgovernmental€interest.€€It€is,€therefore,€constitutionallyÏpermissible.Ìà ` àAs€to€the€Knights'€claim€that€the€crche€is€aestheticallyÏpleasing,€the€Establishment€Clause€makes€clear€that€the€Town€wasÏbound€to€consider€a€range€of€potential€religious€displays€when€itÐ $+t&. Ðenvisioned€the€future€of€the€Green.€€Thus,€the€aesthetics€of€theÏcrche,€in€the€abstract,€are€irrelevant.€€The€Town€rationally€couldÏhave€decided€that€some€of€the€requested€displays,€or€the€sheerÏnumber€of€potential€displays,€would€be€inconsistent€with€theÏaesthetic€quality€of€the€Green.€€Even€if€the€crche€were€moreÏbeautiful€than€all€the€others€ð"ð€a€matter€on€which€we€take€no€viewÏð"ð€the€Town€was€not€at€liberty€to€allow€the€crche€while€at€the€sameÏtime€prohibiting€other€religious€displays.Ìà@P P ìàò òD.€€òòAlternative€Avenues€of€Communicationóó.ó óˆÐ `  Ðà ` àAs€a€final€matter,€the€regulation€does€not€undulyÏrestrict€the€Knights'€free€speech€rights€because€they€have€adequateÏalternative€avenues€of€communication€available€to€them.€€òòSeeóóÐ 0€ ÐòòMcGuireóó,€260€F.3d€at€43;€òòGlobe€Newspaperóó,€100€F.3d€at€186.€€TheÐ Ü, ÐKnights€remain€free€to€display€the€crche,€either€during€the€courseÏof€an€event€on€the€Green€or€at€any€time€on€nearby€privateÏproperty.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€To€be€sure,€the€Knights€argue€that€these€are€notÐ à0 Ðadequate€alternatives€ð"ð€an€event€would€be€too€transitory€andÏplacing€the€crche€on€private€property€would€not€convey€the€sameÏmessage.€€ñxñTñxññyñBut€tñyñhe€message€that€they€suggest€is€suppressed€is€thatÏthe€crche€belongs€"at€the€center€of€public€life€in€the€Town€ofÏLexington."€€This€resupinate€reasoning€turns€the€constitutionalÏstandard€upside„down.€€Although€the€Constitution€protects€privateÐ è'8#* Ðexpressions€of€beliefs,€it€does€not€authorize€ð"ð€and€sometimes€evenÏforbids€ð"ð€citizens'€attempts€to€invoke€public€backing€of€theirÏbeliefs.€€The€Knights€have€no€constitutional€right€to€communicateÏa€message€of€public€support€for€the€crche.Ìà ` àIt€is€also€notable€that€the€crche€is€not€completelyÏbanned€from€the€Green.€€Like€any€other€ceremonial€display,€it€mayÏappear€on€the€Green€in€conjunction€with€an€active€event€for€up€toÏeight€hours.€€The€Knights€have€not€explained€why€such€a€display€isÏimpractical,€instead€stating€that€the€Town€has€no€right€to€dictateÏto€them€how€they€must€express€their€private€beliefs.€€Yet€the€TownÏhas€issued€no€general€ukase€regarding€private€religiousÏobservances;€only€religious€displays€on€a€single€strip€of€publicÏland€are€affected.€€In€a€forum€of€this€kind,€it€has€long€beenÏestablished€that€government€may€impose€reasonable€restrictions€onÏthe€manner€of€speech.€€òòSeeóó,€òòe.g.óó,€òòCapitol€Sq.óó,€515€U.S.€at€761.€€InÐ h Ðadopting€the€regulation,€the€Town€has€done€no€more€than€exerciseÏits€right€to€manage€its€property€in€the€manner€it€deems€desirableÏwithout€crossing€the€constitutional€line.Ìà@¨ ¨ ìàò òE.€€òòConsistency€in€Applicationóó.ó óˆÐ È"$ Ðà ` àThe€Knights'€next€argument€is€that€the€amended€regulationÏhas€been€applied€so€inconsistently€that€it€gives€municipalÏofficials€unfettered€discretion€(and,€thus,€violates€the€ruleÏannounced€in€òòCoxóó€v.€òòLouisianaóó,€379€U.S.€536€(1965)).€€In€òòCoxóó,€theÐ ”)ä$, ÐCourt€struck€down€a€municipal€ordinance€prohibiting€street€paradesÐ @+&. Ðand€meetings€on€the€ground€that€the€ordinance€effectively€gaveÏlocal€officials€unbridled€discretion€to€permit€some€demonstrationsÏand€disallow€others.€€òòId.óó€at€557.€€The€case€stands€for€theÐ X Ðproposition€that€a€neutral€ordinance€may€violate€the€FirstÏAmendment€if€it€invites€uneven€application.Ìà ` àTo€demonstrate€that€the€regulation€here€at€issue€has€beenÏenforced€selectively,€the€Knights€presented€evidence€of€otherÏunattended€structures€that€have€been€seen€on€the€Green€since€theÏnew€regulation€was€adopted,€e.g.,€bleachers€and€a€platform€truckÏwere€left€on€the€Green€prior€to€a€Patriots'€Day€celebration,€and€aÏpodium€appeared€on€the€Green€some€days€prior€to€a€Memorial€DayÏevent.Ìà ` àThe€most€obvious€flaw€in€this€ñzñconstructñzññ{ñargumentñ{ñ€is€the€lack€ofÏany€evidence€that€these€structures€were€erected€by€private€parties.€ÏThis€gap€is€critical€because€the€regulation€was€never€intended€toÏapply€to€actions€by€the€Town€itself.€€In€fact,€the€text€of€theÏregulation,€as€adopted€by€the€Board,€prohibits€"[p]lacement€on€theÏBattle€Green€of€any€unattended€structure€òòby€any€private€partyóó"Ð !l" Ð(emphasis€supplied).€€Even€though€these€last€four€words€later€wereÏomitted€from€the€printed€regulation€through€an€apparent€clericalÏerror,€it€is€reasonable€to€interpret€the€regulation€as€applyingÏonly€to€private€parties.€€In€fact,€the€entire€subsection€in€whichÏthe€regulation€resides€(quoted€in€the€Appendix)€is€most€plausiblyÏread€as€applying€only€to€private€conduct.€€For€example,€we€do€notÐ $+t&. Ðbelieve€that€the€provision€prohibiting€"removal[]€or€disturbance€ofÏany€.€.€.€monument,€statue,€marker,€animal€or€plant"€reasonablyÏcould€be€construed€to€prevent€regular€maintenance,€repair,Ïreplacement,€or€landscaping€done€by€the€Town.€€Similarly,€theÏprohibition€on€the€use€of€firearms€is€most€sensibly€understood€asÏnot€encompassing€police€officers€acting€in€their€official€capacity.€ÏBecause€the€Town€is€exempt€from€the€ban€on€unattended€structures€onÏthe€Green,€the€Knights'€claim€of€selective€enforcement€fails€forÏevidentiary€insufficiency.Ìò òIV.€€THE€FREE€EXERCISE€CLAIMó óÐ ¼  Ðà ` àThe€Free€Exercise€Clause€also€is€made€applicable€to€theÏstates€(and,€therefore,€to€municipalities)€through€the€FourteenthÏAmendment.€€òòSeeóó€òòCantwellóó,€310€U.S.€at€303.€€It€provides€thatÐ Ü, Ð"Congress€shall€make€no€law€.€.€.€prohibiting€the€free€exercise€[ofÏreligion]€.€.€.€."€€U.S.€Const.€Amend.€I.€€In€interpreting€thisÏlanguage,€the€Supreme€Court€has€recognized€that€the€exercise€ofÏreligion€sometimes€may€involve€"performance€(or€abstention€from)Ïphysical€acts,"€and€that€the€government€may€violate€the€right€toÏfree€exercise€if€it€seeks€"to€ban€such€acts€or€abstentions€onlyÏwhen€they€are€engaged€in€for€religious€reasons."€€òòEmployment€Div.,Ð $à& ÐDep't€of€Human€Res.óó€v.€òòSmithóó,€494€U.S.€872,€877€(1990).€€Even€so,Ð <&Œ!( Ð"a€law€that€is€neutral€and€of€general€applicability€need€not€beÏâ âjustified€by€a€compelling€governmental€interest€even€if€the€law€hasÐ ”)ä$, Ðthe€incidental€effect€of€burdening€a€particular€religiousÏpractice."€€òòHialeahóó,€508€U.S.€at€531.Ð \¬ Ðâ âà ` àThe€Knights'€current€reliance€on€this€doctrine€isÏmisplaced.€€As€we€already€have€determined,€òòseeóó€òòsupraóó€Part€III(B),Ð ´  Ðthe€ban€on€unattended€structures€is€content„neutral€in€every€way.€ÏFor€the€reasons€elaborated€in€our€previous€discussion,€we€are€boundÏto€conclude€that€the€regulation€does€not€discriminate€against€aÏparticular€religion€or€religious€practice.€€òòSeeóó€òòHennessyóó€v.€òòCity€ofÐ d´  ÐMelroseóó,€194€F.3d€237,€244€n.1€(1st€Cir.€1999)€(explaining€thatÐ `  Ðprivate€beliefs€do€not€excuse€a€party€from€complying€with€a€law€ofÏgeneral€applicability).€€Hence,€the€Knights€cannot€rewardinglyÏinvoke€the€Free€Exercise€Clause€in€their€attack€on€the€regulation.Ìò òV.€€CONCLUSIONó óÐ À Ðà ` àWe€do€not€live€in€a€utopian€world,€and€the€myriadÏguarantees€that€the€Constitution€provides€sometimes€can€operate€inÏtension€with€one€another.€€So€it€is€here:€€the€Establishment€ClauseÏpulls€in€the€direction€of€separating€church€and€state,€while€theÏFree€Exercise€Clause€pushes€in€the€direction€of€permitting€theÏunfettered€expression€of€religious€doctrine.€€In€our€view,€the€TownÏhas€reconciled€these€competing€centrifugal€and€centripetal€forcesÏin€a€constitutionally€acceptable€manner,€holding€the€delicateÏbalance€steady€and€true.€€Admittedly,€its€solution€ð"ð€the€banning€ofÏall€unattended€structures€from€the€village€green€ð"ð€inhibits€someÏspeech,€but€the€solution€is€content„neutral,€narrowly€tailored€toÐ @+&. Ðsuppress€no€more€speech€than€necessary,€and€leaves€open€ampleÏalternative€avenues€of€communication.€€No€more€is€exigible€toÏwithstand€the€intermediate€level€of€scrutiny€that€the€FirstÏAmendment€imposes€here.Ìà ` àWe€need€go€no€further.€€We€hold€that€the€Town's€ban€onÏunattended€structures€on€the€Green€is€a€permissible€"time,€place,Ïand€manner"€restriction€that€operates€without€reference€to€theÏcontent€of€speech,€and€that€the€aesthetic€preservation€of€soÏhistoric€a€landmark€furnishes€an€appropriate€basis€for€imposingÏthis€narrowly€tailored€restriction€in€a€public€forum.€€Because€theÏchallenged€regulation€leaves€open€many€other€means€of€communicationÏfor€religious€speech€and€there€is€no€competent€evidence€ofÏselective€enforcement,€we€reject€the€Knights'€free€speech€claim.€ÏOn€much€the€same€analysis,€we€likewise€reject€the€Knights'€freeÏexercise€claim.€€Consequently,€we€hold€that€the€lower€court€did€notÏerr€in€granting€summary€judgment€for€the€defendants.ÌÌò òòòAffirmedóó.Ð  !l" Ðó óà@  &ìàò òòòAppendixóóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌÔ‡%XÛXXXBtÔÓ  ÓRULES€AND€SPECIFICATIONS€REGULATING€THE€USE€OF€THE€BATTLE€GREENÐ $t ÐÓ#€ÓÓÓThe€following€rules€and€regulations€have€been€adopted€in€accordance€with€the€General€By„Law,ÏArticle€XXV,€Section€225,€"Protection€of€the€Battle€Green",€as€amended.€€If€these€regulations€orÏportions€thereof,€conflict€with€the€By„Law,€the€By„Law€shall€take€precedence.Ô#†XBtXX%XÛ€#ÔÔ‡%XÛXXXBtÔÓ9°,X°‚w¸ —Xÿÿ°,X°` ¨ ƒX9ÓÐ ä 4 ÐÓ ‰þÓÓ wÓÐ Ô $  ÐÓ  Ó1.€DEFINITIONSÌÓq‚ÓÐ ´  Ða.€à ' à"Audio€device"€means€any€radio,€television€set,€musical€instrument,€or€other€device€thatÐ ¤ô  Ðproduces€noise.Ìb.€à ' à"Disorderly€conduct"€means€any€action€intended€to€cause€inconvenience,€annoyance,€or€alarm,Ð „Ô  Ðor€which€recklessly€creates€a€risk€thereof;€fighting,€threatening€or€violent€behavior;Ïunreasonable€noise;€abusive€language€directed€toward€any€person€present;€wrestling€in€vicinityÏof€others;€throwing€of€breakable€objects;€throwing€of€stones;€or€spitting.Ìc.€à ' à"Powerless€flight"€means€any€device€used€to€carry€persons€or€objects€through€the€air;€forÐ D” Ðexample,€sailplanes,€gliders,€balloons,€body€kites,€hand€gliders.Ìd.€à ' à"Public€use€limit"€means€the€maximum€number€of€people€or€the€amount,€size,€or€type€ofÐ $t Ðequipment€permitted€on€the€Battle€Green€at€one€time,€as€established€by€the€Board€of€Selectmen.Ìc.€à ' à"Special€event"€means€demonstrating,€picketing,€speechmaking,€marching,€holding€of€vigils,Ð T Ðand€all€other€similar€forms€of€conduct€which€involve€the€active€communication€or€expressionÏof€opinions€or€grievances,€engaged€in€by€one€or€more€persons,€the€conduct€of€which€has€theÏeffect,€intent€or€propensity€to€draw€a€crowd€or€onlookers.Ìf.€à ' à"Wet€turf"€shall€mean€any€natural€condition€that€would€make€the€Green€vulnerable€to€excessiveÐ Ä Ðdamage€by€heavy€wear€or€use;€for€example,€heavy€rains,€reseeding,€drought€conditions.Ìg.€à ' à"Non„permit€activities"€shall€mean€activities€that€may€be€engaged€in€without€a€permit€issued€byÐ ¤ô Ðthe€Board€of€Selectmen.ÌÐ „ Ô ÐÓ  Ó2.€NON„PERMIT€ACTIVITIESÌÓK‰ÓÐ d"´  ÐSubject€to€the€restrictions€in€these€rules€and€regulations,€permits€shall€not€be€required€for:ÌÐ D$”" Ða.à ' àConduct€that€does€not€cause€public€inconvenience,€annoyance,€or€alarm.Ð 4%„ # Ðb.à ' àPicnicking€restricted€to€benches€only€and€to€groups€of€no€more€than€five€people.Ð $&t!$ Ðà ' àPicnicking€on€the€Green€by€bus€tours€or€similar€groups€is€forbidden.Ìc.à ' àThe€gathering€of€groups€on€the€Battle€Green€for€the€sole€purpose€of€exploring€and€enjoying€itsÐ (T#& Ðhistory,€and€which€do€not€remain€for€more€than€four€hours.Ìd.à ' àPlaying€of€audio€devices€at€a€reasonable€volume.Ð ä)4%( Ðe.à ' àThe€playing€of€games€that€do€not:Ð Ô*$&) Ðà ' ài.à ž àexceed€three€players;€orÐ Ä+'* Ðà ' àii.à ž àdamage€the€Green's€physical€condition;€orÐ ° Ðà ' àiii.à ž àdisturb€or€inconvenience€those€visiting€the€Green€for€historic€interest;€or€Ð  ð Ðà ' àiv.à ž àconstitute€any€type€of€disorderly€conduct.Ð à ÐÐ €Ð ÐÓ  Ó3.€PERMIT€REQUIRED€ACTIVITIESÌÓŽÓÐ ` ° Ða.à ' àThe€purpose€for€requiring€permits€for€certain€activities€is€to€promote€the€use€of€the€Battle€GreenÐ P   Ðin€a€manner€consistent€with€its€nature€and€history;€to€protect€the€Battle€Green€from€harm;€toÏensure€adequate€notice€of€the€event€so€that€arrangements€can€be€made€to€protect€the€publicÏhealth€and€safety€and€to€minimize€interference€with€the€event€by€the€public.ÌÐ `  Ðb.à ' àPermits€are€required€for€any€of€the€following€activities,€singly€or€in€combination:Ð P  ÐÓ wN‚ÓÓ îÓà ž ài.à  àAny€group€activity€reasonably€likely€to€exceed€the€public€use€limit€established€by€theÐ ð@  ÐBoard€of€Selectmen.Ìà ž àii.à  àSpecial€events,€public€meetings,€assemblies,€gatherings,€demonstrations,€parades,€andÐ Ð  Ðother€active€public€expressions€of€interest,€not€to€exceed€eight€hours€in€duration.Ìà ž àiii.à  àPageants,€reenactments,€regattas,€entertainments,€or€other€as€public€spectatorÐ ° Ðattractions.Ìà ž àiv.à  àDisplays€of€a€ceremonial€nature€in€connection€with€special€events€and€limited€inÐ à Ðduration€to€the€period€required€for€such€events.Ìà ž àv.à  àUse€of€public€address€system,€electrical€lighting,€or€other€electrical€devices.Ð pÀ Ðà ž àvi.à  àDistribution€of€printed€matter€other€than€commercial€advertising.Ð `° Ðà ž àvii.à  àPossession€of€firearms€if€unloaded€or€packed€in€such€a€way€as€to€prevent€their€use.Ð P  Ðà ž àviii.à  àPossession€of€explosives,€as€long€as€individuals€or€groups€conform€to€Federal,€State,Ð @ Ðand€local€laws€governing€such€possession.Ìà ž àix.à  àUse€or€possession€of€fireworks€or€firecrackers.Ð  p ÐÓ îŒÓÓ wÀÓÐ ` ÐÓ  Ó4.€IMPERMISSIBLE€ACTIVITIESÌÓ–ÓÐ ð@ ÐThe€following€activities€are€strictly€prohibited:ÌÐ Ð  Ða.à ' àAny€group€activity€that€exceeds€the€public€use€limit€established€by€the€Board€of€Selectmen€forÐ À! Ðthe€Battle€Green.Ìb.à ' àPossession,€destruction,€injury,€defacement,€removal,€or€disturbance€of€any€building,€sign,Ð  #ð! Ðequipment,€monument,€statue,€marker,€animal€or€plant.Ìc.à ' àDistribution€or€display€of€commercial€advertising;€or€soliciting€of€business;€or€any€otherÐ €%Ð # Ðcommercial€transactions.Ìd.à ' àRemaining€on€the€Battle€Green€for€more€than€four€hours.Ð `'°"% Ðe.à ' àAbandonment€of€any€vehicle€or€personal€property.Ð P( #& Ðf.à ' àUnreasonably€loud€operation€of€audio€devices.Ð @)$' Ðg.à ' àDelivery€of€any€person€or€thing€by€parachute€or€helicopter.Ð 0*€%( Ðh.à ' àPowerless€flight€activities.Ð  +p&) Ði.à ' àBegging.Ð ,`'* Ðj.à ' àDisorderly€conduct.Ð ° Ðk.€à ' àUse€of€firearms.Ð  ð Ðl.à ' àUse€of€metal€detecting€device€for€personal€use.Ð à Ðm.à ' àGambling€of€any€form€or€operation€of€gambling€devices.Ð €Ð Ðn.à ' àPicnicking€except€as€provided€in€2b.Ð pÀ Ðo.à ' àUse€of€roller€skates€and€skateboards.Ð ` ° Ðp.à ' àPlacement€of€the€Battle€Green€of€any€unattended€structure.Ð P   ÐÐ @  ÐÓ  Ó5.€PERMIT€PROCESSÌÓQœÓÐ  p  Ða.à ' àApplication€for€permits€to€conduct€activities€on€the€Battle€Green,€specified€in€3,€above,€shall€beÐ `  Ðfiled€no€later€than€two€weeks€prior€to€the€requested€date.€€Late€and/or€incomplete€applicationsÏwill€be€considered€at€the€discretion€of€the€Board€of€Selectmen.Ìb.à ' àPermit€applications€shall€include€the€following€information:Ð à0  Ðà ' ài.à ž àName€and€phone€number€of€a€responsible€contact.Ð Ð  Ðà ' àii.à ž àDate€and€time€of€event.Ð À Ðà ' àiii.à ž àNature€of€event.Ð ° Ðà ' àiv.à ž àExpected€number€of€participants,€spectators,€and€vehicles.Ð  ð Ðà ' àv.€à ž àDuration€of€event.Ð à Ðà ' àvi.à ž àStatement€of€equipment€and€facilities€to€be€used.Ð €Ð Ðà ' àvii.à ž àSection€of€the€Green€desired.Ð pÀ Ðc.à ' àThe€responsible€party€is€to€keep€the€permit,€which€must€be€available€for€inspection€uponÐ `° Ðrequest.€€The€responsible€party€may€be€required€by€the€Board€of€Selectmen,€as€a€condition€ofÏissuing€the€permit,€to€pay€for€detail€police€officers€if€the€Board€determines€that€such€officers€areÏnecessary€for€public€safety.Ìd.à ' àPermits€are€issued€upon€express€condition€the€Green€is€to€be€left€in€an€orderly€fashion.Ð  p Ðe.à ' àPermits€are€non„transferable;€and€are€only€valid€for€date€and€time€specified.Ð ` Ðf.à ' àA€permit€shall€be€revoked€if€a€sanctioned€event€engages€in€impermissible€activities€and€may€beÐ P Ðrevoked€if€the€permit€group€engaged€in€activities€that€are€not€within€the€specification€of€theÏpermit.Ìg.à ' àThe€Board€of€Selectmen€may€alter€a€request€by€setting€reasonable€conditions€and€restrictionsÐ Ð  Ðas€to€duration€and€area€occupied,€as€are€necessary€for€protection€of€the€area€and€public€useÏthereof.Ìh.à ' àWet€turf€conditions€may€supersede€the€use€of€a€granted€permit€at€the€discretion€of€the€Board€ofÐ  #ð! ÐSelectmen€to€protect€the€condition€of€the€Battle€Green.ÌÐ €%Ð # ÐÓ  Ó6.€GROUNDS€FOR€DENIAL€OF€PERMIT€REQUESTÌÓ:¥ÓÐ `'°"% Ða.à ' àPrior€applications€for€permit€for€conflicting€schedule€has€been€made€or€will€be€granted.Ð P( #& Ðb.à ' àEvent€presents€a€clear€and€present€danger€to€public€health€or€safety.Ð @)$' Ðc.à ' àEvent€is€of€such€nature€or€duration€that€it€cannot€reasonably€be€accommodated€in€the€areaÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âapplied€for;€or€the€expected€number€of€participants€exceeds€the€public€use€limit.Ð  +p&) Ðd.à ' àEvent€will,€in€the€opinion€of€the€Board€of€Selectmen,€cause€unacceptable€interference€with€useÐ ° Ðâ âof€the€Green€by€the€general€public.Ìe.à ' àEvent€is€requested€for€a€date€that€conflicts€with€official€celebrations€of€the€Town.Ð à Ðf.à ' àEvent€is€more€appropriately€held€at€other€available€Town€facilities,€such€as€recreationalÐ €Ð Ðfacilities.ÌÐ ` ° ÐApproved€by€the€Board€of€Selectmen€July€15,€1986ÌAmended€July€24,€2000Ó:°,X°` ¨ ƒX°,X°‚w¸ —Xò:Ó¹Ó wÞ•ÓÓ ‰þ@‚ÓÔ#†XBtXX%XÛÓ#Ô