This chapter shall be known and designated as the "Fire Hydrant
Obstruction Ordinance of the Adams Township."
Posts, fences, vehicles, certain plants, trees, growth, trash,
landscaping materials, rock materials, storage and other materials,
structures or objects shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants,
Fire Department inlet connections or fire protection system control
valves (collectively referred to as "fire hydrants" or "fire protection
equipment") in a manner that would prevent fire hydrants or other
fire protection equipment from being immediately discernible or readily
accessible. The Fire Department shall not be deterred nor hindered
from gaining immediate and safe access to any such fire hydrants or
other fire protection equipment.
A three-foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference
of fire hydrants and other fire protection equipment except as otherwise
required or approved by the Board of Supervisors upon the recommendation
of the Chief Administrator of Police and/or Fire Marshal. No grass,
plants or other objects within this three-foot radius shall exceed
six inches in height. No loose rocks or any other objects which may
pose a tripping hazard shall be permitted within the foregoing radius.
In conjunction with the three-foot radius, all fire hydrants and other
fire protection equipment must have an unimpeded view range of at
least two feet to each side along the roadway.
Snow and ice shall not be shoveled, blown or otherwise deposited
onto fire hydrants or within three feet of fire hydrants.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000,
plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to
a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each violation of any
provision of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense. In
addition, in any civil enforcement action brought by the Township
to collect unpaid fines or penalties imposed pursuant to this chapter,
the Township shall also be entitled to collect all costs, expenses,
and attorney's fees associated with such action.
In addition to any other penalties and remedies provided herein
or otherwise available under law, upon the failure of the owner or
person in charge of or in possession of the property to remove any
offending obstruction in violation of this chapter after receiving
a notice of violation, any duly authorized employee or contractor
of the Township, water authority, water company, or other entity having
jurisdiction or control over the fire hydrant or the premises upon
which the fire hydrant is located may, without further notice to the
owner or persons in charge or possession of such property, enter upon
the premises and cause the removal of all offending obstructions to
the fire hydrant or other fire protection equipment. The costs of
such action to remove the offending obstruction shall be charged against
the owner(s) or other persons in charge of said premises and shall
also be charged against the real estate upon which the fire hydrant
and the offending obstructions are located and shall be a lien upon
such real estate.
Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as limiting in
any manner the right of the Township, water authority, water company,
or any other entity having jurisdiction or control over any fire hydrant
to enter upon any right-of-way, easement or other premises upon which
any fire hydrant or other fire protection equipment is located to
cause the removal of any and all obstructions or other objects or
structure whose presence is inconsistent with the right to gain unfettered
access to and to maintain such fire hydrant or other fire protection
equipment and/or appurtenant rights-of-way, easements or other premises
upon which such fire protection equipment is located. Nor shall any
person be entitled to the return of, or to any compensation for, any
offending obstructions removed or for any damages caused to any such
obstructions or to the premises by or as a result of the entry and
removal of such obstructions.
In the event that any section or sections of this chapter, or
parts of the same, shall be declared to be invalid by any court of
competent authority, the remaining provisions of this chapter shall
continue in full force and effect notwithstanding.
Any other ordinance or part(s) of any ordinance(s) which conflicts
with the terms and provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed
insofar as the same affects this chapter.
This chapter shall take effect five days after enactment.