As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
CONSENT
A document signed by a resident and the representative of the utility
authorizing the utility to enter onto the premises to carry out the service
call.
PREMISES
A dwelling, apartment, townhouse, leasehold, store, commercial building
or any other structure.
RESIDENT
Shall include individuals residing at the premises, owners, operators
of businesses and any other person who has a legitimate purpose and authority
to consent on behalf of the owner or leaseholder of a premises.
UTILITY
A recognized public utility, including but not limited to telephone,
electric companies, water authorities, cable companies, natural gas providers
and other utilities providing services to a premises in the Town of Cheektowaga.
It shall be unlawful for any utility to engage in the practice of entering
a premises through the means of false service call or subterfuge in order
to gain access to a premises without the consent of a resident. All entries
into a premises of a resident of Cheektowaga by a public utility shall be
made only after obtaining the consent of a resident or a party authorized
to consent on his/her behalf.
It shall be unlawful for a utility without the consent of the owner
to remove any installation or wiring in such a manner as it should cause destruction
to the premises of a resident. In the event that a resident consents to the
removal of the installation done without the authorization of the utility,
then the utility must restore the premises to the condition it was in before
the removal of the unauthorized installation.
This chapter shall be enforced by members of the Cheektowaga Police
Department and the Department of Buildings and Inspections of the Town of
Cheektowaga.