[HISTORY: Adopted 3-15-2018 by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Somers, effective 4-5-2018. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Town of Somers recognizes the desirability of certain outdoor/indoor
events, including exhibitions, festivals, music concerts, sporting
events, and fairs, and hereby adopts this chapter to protect the general
welfare and promote public health and safety by addressing issues
arising therefrom, such as traffic congestion, crowd control, health
and sanitation, compliance with alcohol and drug laws and protection
of public and private property.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
That portion of the premises at which the mass gathering
is held.
Any temporary gathering, pageant, amusement show, exhibition,
festival, theatrical performance, or other special event held with
the intent to attract at least 1,000 persons during the course of
the event, or at least 500 persons on site at any given time; or
Any event which exceeds the normal rated capacity of the building
or space; or
Any public event that will require a special liquor permit;
or
Any public event that needs to have on-site emergency medical
services; or
Any event which will result in a temporary road closure or lane
restrictions.
The licensee; the person or entity responsible for the mass
gathering.
Any natural person, sole proprietor, partnership, corporation
or other entity.
Those costs incurred by the Town in connection with the mass
gathering which would not be incurred by the Town if the mass gathering
were not held.
Town of Somers.
A.
Permit requirements.
(1)
No person, firm, corporation or partnership shall stage, sponsor,
promote, operate or hold any mass gathering without first procuring
a mass gathering permit from the Town of Somers. The property owner
of a location for an event is responsible for ensuring the proper
permits are obtained.
(2)
When police protection is necessary or required, as determined by
the Chief of Police, the amount of such protection necessary shall
be determined and furnished by the Chief of Police, or designee, of
the Town of Somers. Such protection shall be paid for by the person
or persons operating, conducting or promoting the event, pursuant
to Connecticut General Statutes § 7-284.
(3)
Per Connecticut General Statutes § 29-291a, the local Fire
Marshal may regulate and control special events, including, but not
limited to, assemblage of people, exhibits, trade shows, amusement
parks, haunted houses, outdoor events and other similar special temporary
and permanent occupancies. When a fire watch is deemed necessary,
the amount of such protection shall be determined by the Somers Fire
Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal. Standby fire personnel and apparatus
(if necessary) shall be furnished by the Somers Fire Department. Such
protection shall be paid for by the person or persons operating, conducting
or promoting the event.
(4)
If EMS coverage is required by Connecticut state statute or is requested
by the event organizer, then the EMS personnel and apparatus (if necessary)
shall be furnished by the Town of Somers Fire Department, which is
the licensed public safety area responder for the Town of Somers.
No other provider or agency can conduct an EMS standby in Somers per
Connecticut State Regulations §§ 19a-179-9 and 19a-179-11.
Such protection shall be paid for by the person or persons operating,
conducting or promoting the event.
(5)
A local mass gathering permit shall not be required of agricultural
fairs that fully comply with Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter
368S, § 19a-443(c).
(6)
Permits for a mass gathering shall be issued by the Town Clerk according
to the procedure contained herein.
(7)
An application for a mass gathering shall be filed with the Town
Clerk a minimum of 60 days prior to the event.
B.
Application.
(1)
The person(s) seeking a permit must file a completed application
with the Town Clerk not less than 60 days before the proposed event.
(2)
Venues that hold events on a regular basis may elect to submit one
request for the year with a calendar outlining planned events and
expected attendance for those dates.
(3)
The Town of Somers shall have up to 15 business days to review the
permit. After this period the permit shall be a) issued without restriction,
b) issued with restrictions and/or conditions, or c) denied with a
reason provided.
(4)
If an application for a mass gathering is filed with the Town Clerk
less than 60 days in advance, then the Town reserves the right to
limit or prohibit the event if the Town is not able to provide the
resources necessary to ensure public safety.
C.
Fees. It shall be the responsibility of the person seeking a permit
to ensure all fees associated with police, fire, medical, health or
Town services are paid upon receipt of invoice.
The Town of Somers Chief of Police or designee will enforce
the provisions of this chapter, as well as any restrictions or conditions
of the actual event permit.
Any person, firm, corporation, property owner or partnership
which violates any portion of this chapter or fails to obtain required
approvals will be subject to a cease-and-desist order and shall be
fined $250 per day, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 7-148.
Each day that a violation continues constitutes a separate violation.
Permits issued under this chapter are not transferable or assignable
without prior approval.
Permits issued under this chapter are valid only during the
approved operating hours of the mass gathering or approved rain date.
The permit is void should the event be canceled or postponed.
This chapter shall not repeal, annul, or in any way impair or
remove the necessity of compliance with any other rules, regulations,
bylaws, permits, or provisions of the Town of Somers.
