Reuters reports that the town – with a population of around 20,000 – held a meeting on the subject, with residents voting 185-50 in favour of the sanction system.
The fine will not apply to casual or private conversations, but is apparently aimed squarely at groups of bored teens who have started a trend of shouting obscenities at each other, as well as pedestrians and shop owners.
Reports have suggested that the fine may conflict with US First Amendment free speech rights. But Middleborough officials point out that the shouting of swear words is more akin to harassment.