[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Ashford 6-9-1987. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the provisions of § 7-148
of the Connecticut General Statutes.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Fire Lane
Ordinance."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A designated unobstructed passageway sufficient in size to
permit free passage of fire and other emergency equipment to areas
or parts of any private or public property as deemed necessary by
the Fire Marshal.
Whenever the Fire Marshal of the Town of Ashford determines
that the reasonable safety of persons occupying, or using, any premises,
public or private, having a capacity of at least 15 persons, requires
the establishment of a fire lane for orderly access of fire and other
emergency equipment, he shall establish such fire lane by written
order and cause a copy of such order to be delivered in person or
by registered mail to the owner of any private land on which such
fire lane is established or to the agent of such owner.
[Amended 6-7-2021]
Whenever the Fire Marshal of the Town of Ashford establishes
a fire lane, he shall file one copy of his order with the Board of
Selectmen and one copy with the First Selectman. Any person aggrieved
by such order may file a written notice of appeal setting forth reasons
for aggrievement. Such written notice of appeal must be filed with
the First Selectman within 15 days after the filing of the order with
the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen shall hear such appeal
within 30 days after receipt of the notice of appeal by the First
Selectman. After hearing, the Board of Selectmen may affirm, modify
or rescind such order.
[Amended 6-7-2021]
Upon establishment of a fire lane as provided herein, the Ashford
Public Works Department shall cause to be erected or installed adequate
signs, markings and other devices to delineate said fire lane. Such
signs, markings, and other devices when installed on privately owned
premises shall be at the cost of the owner and may be billed for and
collected as a municipal fee in the same manner as municipal taxes.
A.
No person shall park or permit to stand a motor vehicle in a fire
lane which has been established in accordance with this chapter, except
when the operator remains in the vehicle and is in the actual process
of picking up or discharging passengers. Any person violating this
subsection shall be fined not more than $35 and a court fee of $5.
The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the
operator of such vehicle.
B.
Any motor vehicle found standing in a fire lane which has been established
in accordance with this chapter may be towed upon the direction of
the First Selectman or his/her designee to any public or private parking
facility, and all expense of such towing, and any subsequent storage,
shall be borne by the registered owner of such vehicle.
[Amended 6-7-2021]
Any person receiving a notice of violation of the provisions
of this chapter may appear at the office of the First Selectman of
the Town of Ashford and shall pay an amount as specified in said notice.
Such payment shall bar a prosecution for such violation of this chapter.
If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this chapter
shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect or impair any other section,
clause, provision, or portion of this chapter.
This chapter shall become effective 15 days after publication
in a newspaper having a circulation in the Town of Ashford.
