[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Avon 5-7-2019 ATM by Art. 8. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this bylaw, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future; words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
ALARM SYSTEM
An assembly of equipment and devices or a single device such as a solid-state unit which plugs directly into a 110-volt AC line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police are expected to respond. Fire alarm systems and alarm systems which monitor temperature, smoke, humidity or any other condition not directly related to the detection of unauthorized intrusion into a premises or an attempted robbery at a premises are specifically excluded from the provisions of this bylaw.
FALSE ALARM
A. 
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or negligence of the user of an alarm system or his employees or agents.
B. 
Any signal or oral communication transmitted to the Police Department requesting or requiring or resulting in a response on the part of the Police Department when in fact there has been no unauthorized intrusion, robbery or burglary, or attempt thereat.
C. 
For the purpose of this definition, activation of alarm systems by Acts of God, including, but not limited to, power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances, shall not be deemed to be a false alarm.
A. 
Every alarm user shall submit to the Police Chief and/or his designee the names and telephone numbers of his residence and place of employment and at least two other persons who are authorized to respond to an emergency signal transmitted by an alarm system and who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed. The alarm user will be responsible to keep this information current and updated.
B. 
All alarm systems installed after the effective date of this bylaw which use an audible horn or bell shall be equipped with a device that will shut off such horn or bell within 10 minutes of activation of the alarm system.
C. 
Any alarm system emitting a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than 10 minutes which cannot be shut off or otherwise curtailed due to the absence or unavailability of the alarm user or those persons designated by him under Subsection A of this section, and which disturbs the peace, comfort or repose of a community, a neighborhood, or a considerable number of inhabitants of the area where the system is located shall constitute a public nuisance. Upon receiving complaints regarding such continuous and uninterrupted signal, the Police Chief and/or his designee shall endeavor to contact the alarm user, or members of the alarm user's family, or those persons designated by the alarm user under Subsection A of this section in an effort to abate the nuisance. The Police Chief and/or his designee shall cause to be recorded the names and addresses of the complainants and the time each complaint was made.
A. 
No automatic dialing device shall be interconnected to any telephone numbers at the Police Department after the effective date of this bylaw.
B. 
Within six months after the effective date of this bylaw, all automatic dialing devices interconnected to any telephone numbers at the Police Department shall be disconnected therefrom. The user of each such device shall be responsible for having the device disconnected upon notification of the Police Chief and/or his designee.
The provisions of § 103-5, Violations and penalties, of this bylaw shall not apply to any Town or governmental agency.
A. 
Upon receipt of three or more false alarms within a calendar year, the Police Chief and/or his designee may order the user to discontinue the use of the alarm.
B. 
The user shall be assessed a fee that shall be posted with the Town Clerk for a false alarm service fee for each false alarm in excess of three occurring within a calendar year. All fees assessed hereunder shall be paid to the Town of Avon c/o the Town Treasurer-Collector.