As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
FIRE ZONE
A designated, unobstructed passageway sufficient in size to permit
free passage of fire and other emergency equipment from a public highway to
all necessary areas or portions of any private or public property as hereinafter
set forth.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that the reasonable safety
of persons occupying or using any premises, public or private, having a capacity
of at least 35 persons requires the establishment of a fire zone for orderly
access of fire and other emergency equipment, he shall establish such a fire
zone by written order and cause a public announcement of the establishment
of such fire zone to be printed in a newspaper having a substantial circulation
in the community. Further, he shall cause a copy of such order to be delivered,
in person or by certified mail, to the owner of any private land on which
such fire zone is established or to the agent of such owner.
Upon establishment of a fire zone, the Town Manager or designated representative
shall cause to be erected or installed adequate signs, markings and other
devices to delineate said fire zone. Signs, markings and other devices erected
or installed on privately owned premises shall be at the cost of the owner
and may be billed for and collected as a municipal fee in the same manner
as municipal taxes. In lieu of the foregoing, the owner may install or cause
to be installed adequate fire markings and other devices under the direction
of the Town Manager.
No person shall park or permit to stand a motor vehicle in a fire zone
which has been established in accordance with this chapter except when the
operator remains in the vehicle and is in the actual process of picking up
or discharging passengers. Any person violating this section shall be fined
$50. The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the operator
of such vehicle.
Fire zones established under this chapter shall be kept free of ice
and snow by the owner, and fire hydrants, if any, located on private property
shall be accessible from said fire zones and also kept free of snow by the
owner.
Any motor vehicle found standing in a fire zone which has been established
in accordance with this chapter may be towed upon the direction of a police
officer to any public or private parking facility, and all expense of such
towing and any subsequent storage shall be borne by the registered owner of
such vehicle.