This chapter shall be known as "A Local Law to Adopt the Private
Fire Hydrant Law in the Town of Cortlandville, New York."
This chapter is intended to be consistent with and is enacted
by the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandville pursuant to its authority
to adopt laws under the New York State Constitution, the New York
State Municipal Home Rule Law, and the New York State Town Law. It
is intended and is hereby declared to address matters of local concern
only and is intended to act in furtherance of the Town's authority
with respect to existing zoning and land use laws and its police powers,
related to the planning and physical use of real property within the
Town.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a program for identifying
and registering private fire hydrants; to determine the responsibilities
of owners of private fire hydrants; and to ensure the proper functioning
of fire safety equipment in the Town of Cortlandville to protect public
safety.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
HYDRANT
The aboveground appliance [as defined by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA)] used to provide a water supply to fire
apparatus in the event of a fire or other emergency.
PRIVATE HYDRANT
A fire hydrant located on private property, whose water is
provided by the Town of Cortlandville or by other means, but the underground
piping in which the water moves and the hydrants are owned and maintained
by the property owner.
HYDRANT OWNER
The person or entity (or their designee), according to Town
of Cortlandville records, who is responsible for tax payments (or
other payments to the Town) for the property on which the hydrant
is installed.
HYDRANT MAINTENANCE
The process of regular maintenance of a fire hydrant to determine
its capability to provide the desired water supply for which it was
designed; and to exercise all valves, caps, etc.; and to lubricate
and paint as needed.
All private fire hydrants shall be marked by an approved identification
means and shall be painted according to the Town of Cortlandville
Fire Department's standard.
The owner of a private fire hydrant located on non-Town owned
property shall maintain and have such hydrant annually inspected and
flow tested by the Town of Cortlandville. The cost of inspections
shall be at the expense of the property owner as determined by the
Town of Cortlandville.