[Adopted 4-12-1982 ATM by Art. 24 (Ch. 71, Art. I, of the 1989 Code)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM
An assembly of equipment and devices or a single device, such as, but not limited to, a solid-state unit which plugs directly into a one-hundred-ten-volt alternating current 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 an unauthorized intrusion into a premises or an attempted robbery at a premises are specifically excluded from the provisions of this article. The provisions of § 205-3 of this article shall apply to all users.
FALSE ALARM
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 or 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 attempted threat. For the purposes 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 "false alarms."
A. 
Every alarm user shall submit to the Police Chief the names and telephone numbers of 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. It shall be incumbent upon the owner of said premises to immediately notify the Hull Police Department of any changes in the list of authorized employees so named in the business listing to respond to alarms.
B. 
All alarm systems installed after the effective date of this article which use an audible horn or bell shall be equipped with a device that will shut off such bell or horn within 15 minutes after activation of the alarm system. All existing alarm systems in the Town of Hull must have a shutoff device installed within six months of passage of this article.
C. 
Any alarm system emitting a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than 15 minutes which cannot be shut off or otherwise curtailed due to the absence of 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 alarm system is located shall constitute a public nuisance.
D. 
No alarm system which is designated to transmit emergency messages or signals of intrusion to the Police Department will be tested until the Police Dispatcher has been notified.
E. 
All alarm systems which are designed to transmit emergency messages or signals of intrusion to the Police Department will be charged a one-time connection fee of $100 which shall be paid to the Town prior to the connection to the Police Department by the alarm installer.
F. 
The owner or user of the alarm systems currently connected to the Police Department shall be assessed a fee of $100 which shall be paid to the Town within 90 days of the effective date of this article.
G. 
All alarm systems which are designed to transmit emergency messages or signals of intrusion to the Police Department will be of a type approved by the Police Chief.
(1) 
The type of system approved, if adaptable, must be able to produce a permanent record indicating, but not limited to the following: date, time and user.
(2) 
Within six months of the effective date of this article, the alarm installer shall replace, change, alter or install the appropriate system to conform to this article.
A. 
The user shall be assessed $25 as a false alarm service fee for each false alarm in excess of three occurring within a calendar year. The Police Chief shall notify the alarm user, either by certified mail or by service in hand by a police officer, of such violation, and said user shall submit payment within 15 days of said notice to the Town Treasurer/Collector for deposit to the general fund.
B. 
The owner of a system which occasions six or more false alarms within a calendar year, and/or installer who is not in conformance with this article, may be ordered to disconnect and otherwise discontinue the use of the same by the Select Board after a public hearing.
[Amended 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 6B]
C. 
Any user, owner or installer found to be in violation of any provision of this article for which no other penalty is specified shall be punished by a fine of $20.