[HISTORY: Adopted as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-7-1990 ATM, Art. 13[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This Article also superseded former Ch. 48,
Alarm Systems, adopted 5-3-1982 Annual Town Meeting. Art. 26.
[Amended 9-15-2020 STM,
Art. 2]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any device which, when activated, transmits a signal to the
Police Department, Fire Department, or their dispatch center, or transmits
a signal to a person or company who relays information to the Police
Department, Fire Department, or dispatch center, or produces an audible
or visible signal to which the Police Department and/or Fire Department
is expected to respond.
Any telephone number designated by the Police Chief or Fire
Chief as a telephone number through which members of the public may
report an emergency or request public assistance.
Any signal transmitted by an alarm system to which the Police
or Fire Department responds which is not the result of an emergency.
[Amended 9-15-2020 STM,
Art. 2]
Alarm systems shall be connected to a central station or similar
monitoring system which shall then notify the Great Barrington dispatch
center by a dedicated telephone number or other approved method. No
alarm shall be automatically transmitted to the Police Department,
Fire Department, or dispatch center without written consent from the
applicable department.
No person shall use, operate or install any dialing device that
will, upon activation, automatically dial, call or connect with the
telephone number designated by the Chief of Police, Fire Chief or
Emergency Communication Commission, for the purpose of receiving such
alarm messages, more than twice for any one incident. Any system installed
on or after the effective date of this article must comply with this
article. Preexisting installations must comply within 90 days of the
effective date of this article.
Upon the activation of a burglar (break-in) alarm, there shall
be a mandatory delay of at least 15 seconds before the transmission
of a signal to the Police Department to enable the user to abort the
signal in the event that it was triggered inadvertently. This delay
shall not be applicable to a robber (holdup), fire or medical emergency
alarm. Any system installed on or after the effective date of this
article must comply within 90 days of the effective date of this article.
The user of every alarm system emitting an audible, visual or
other response shall, at the time such system is installed or within
90 days of the effective date of this article in the case of existing
systems, install or cause to be installed an automatic timing device
which shall deactivate such alarm so that it will be activated for
no more than 15 minutes.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 48-6, Information to be
filed, was repealed 9-15-2020 STM,
Art. 2.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 48-7, Permit; fee; revocation,
was repealed 9-15-2020 STM, Art.
2.
[Amended 5-6-1996 ATM, Art. 19; 5-3-1999 ATM, Art. 27; 9-15-2020 STM, Arts. 2 and 11]
A fee may be charged for each false alarm in accordance with
a policy set by the Selectboard. A fee for a false alarm may not exceed
$250.
In the event that an alarm system emitting an audible, visual or other similar response shall fail to be deactivated within the time limitation specified in § 48-5 above, the Town shall have the right to take such action as may be necessary in order to disconnect any such alarm.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 48-10, Violations and penalties,
was repealed 9-15-2020 STM, Art.
2.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Art. II, Communication Committee Fees,
adopted 5-22-1990, was repealed 9-15-2020 STM, Art. 2.
