[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Colchester 6-29-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Rapid access systems — See Ch. 103.
Pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-148(c)(7)(H)(xiv), the Town adopts the following alarm systems ordinance.
[Amended 7-13-2023]
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the installation, maintenance and operation of alarm systems, devices and equipment in businesses within the Town of Colchester.
[Amended 7-13-2023]
As used in this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the meanings indicated:
ADMINISTRATOR
The Colchester Fire Marshal's office will administer the provisions of this chapter.
ALARM OWNER
Any person, company, corporation or other entity that is the owner, operator or user of an alarm system.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any device or equipment which is capable of automatically calling and relaying recorded emergency messages or other forms of emergency signals to an intermediate third party which shall thereafter call and relay such emergency messages to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm signal which causes an emergency response to the location of the alarm which is caused by misuse or malfunction; or unintentional activation caused by flaw or defect in design, installation, maintenance or equipment of the alarm system.
An alarm owner shall be responsible for maintaining and keeping in good working order at all times each alarm system on the premises owned or occupied by the alarm owner in order to minimize false alarms.
[Amended 7-13-2023]
A. 
To operate an alarm system within the Town of Colchester, an alarm owner must complete a registration form provided by the administrator. The registration form shall include information concerning the alarm system, its location and any other necessary information as determined by the administrator.
B. 
It shall be the responsibility of an alarm owner to notify the administrator, in writing, within 10 days of changes in registration information.
A. 
In the event there are three false alarms at the same location within the same calendar year, a written warning shall be issued to the alarm owner upon the occurrence of the third false alarm. The warning shall notify the alarm owner that any further false alarms occurring within the same calendar year shall lead to the following penalties:
(1) 
A fine of $25 shall be imposed on the alarm owner upon the occurrence of the fourth false alarm within a calendar year.
(2) 
A fine of $50 shall be imposed on the alarm owner upon the occurrence of all subsequent false alarms after the fourth false alarm within a calendar year.
B. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, which provided a fine for failure to register an alarm system, was repealed 7-13-2023.
C. 
(Reserved)[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C, which provided a fine for failure to provide notification of changes in registration, was repealed 7-13-2023.
D. 
All fines for violations of this chapter shall be payable to the Town of Colchester and deposited into the Town's general fund.
E. 
All fines imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to appeal in accordance with Chapter 93 of the Code of the Town of Colchester.