[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Colchester 6-29-2011. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-148(c)(4)(B), the Town adopts
the following fire hydrants ordinance.
To purpose of this chapter is to authorize the Colchester Fire
Department to regulate the installation, location, operation and maintenance
of fire hydrants within the Town.
A.
The Board of Selectmen shall adopt and enforce regulations regarding
the specifications for and the location, operation and maintenance
of all fire hydrants within the Town (the "Fire Hydrant Regulations").
B.
Any property owner that is required to install a private or municipal
fire hydrant shall install said fire hydrant in a manner which is
in full accordance with the Fire Hydrant Regulations. The Building
Official of the Town shall not issue a building permit or certificate
of occupancy to an applicant until the Fire Marshal confirms compliance
with the provisions of this chapter.
A.
Fire hydrants that are out of service shall be clearly marked by
the Colchester Sewer and Water Department.
B.
The Fire Marshal may order the repair of a defective fire hydrant
on private property and bill the cost of such work to the owner if
the Town incurs costs associated with the repair of the defective
fire hydrant.
Fire hydrants and fire apparatus and equipment required by this
chapter shall not be removed, tampered with, or otherwise disturbed
except for purposes of: extinguishing a fire; training; recharging,
repairing or flushing a fire hydrant; or when permitted by the Colchester
Sewer and Water Department or the Fire Marshal.
A.
All private property owners whose property contains a fire hydrant
shall continuously maintain the area around the fire hydrant and keep
the area clear of weeds, rubbish and any other obstructions which
might prohibit access for use and/or maintenance of the fire hydrant.
Landscaping or decorations shall not obstruct or hide any fire hydrant
from clear view, nor prohibit access for use and/or maintenance of
fire hydrants.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct access to any fire
hydrant by placing, locating or permitting any debris, building material,
personal property or other obstruction which may interfere with the
use of a fire hydrant. Parking, placing or locating any motor vehicle
or boat within 10 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited.
C.
All private property owners whose property contains a fire hydrant
shall remove snow and ice abutting the fire hydrant that has accumulated
higher than a point four inches below the bottom of the lowest outlet
on any fire hydrant within 24 hours after the cessation of a snow
or ice storm.
