[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen
of the Town of Cromwell 6-8-1988.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
CHARTER REVISION
Effective with the general election held in November 2013, the
Town changed to a Town Council/Town Manager form of government. According
to Charter § 11.04, any references in Town ordinances to
the "First Selectman" or to the "Board of Selectmen" shall now be
deemed to refer to the "Town Manager" or the "Town Council," as appropriate.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Ch. 130, Fire Lanes, adopted 4-6-1976.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A passageway designed in accordance with this chapter for
the purpose of permitting free passage of fire-fighting ladder trucks
and other emergency vehicles from the public highways to all areas
or portions of areas of any private or public property, 24 hours a
day in all seasons and all weather conditions. A fire lane is established
as hereinafter set forth.
Fire lanes established under this chapter shall
be kept free of ice, snow and all other obstructions. Fire hydrants
and/or sprinkler connector devices located on public or private property
shall be accessible from said fire lanes and shall also be kept free
of ice, snow and all other obstructions. Compliance with this section
shall be the responsibility of the owner of property on which a fire
lane, fire hydrant or sprinkler connector device is located.
Whenever the Fire Marshal of the Town of Cromwell
shall determine that the reasonable safety and welfare of persons
occupying or using any premises, public or private, requires the establishment
of a fire lane for access of fire-fighting and other emergency vehicles,
he shall establish such fire lane by written order. Such written order
shall include the exact locations, dimensions, descriptions and/or
maps of such areas to be established as fire lanes and shall be approved
by the written signature and dated by the Fire Marshal or his representative.
The written order shall be effective on the date of its filing with
the Town Clerk as set forth hereinafter.
Copies of the written order establishing a fire
lane shall be filed with the Town Clerk and the Police Chief. A copy
of such order shall simultaneously be sent by registered or certified
mail to the owner of record of any property on which a fire lane is
established. A copy of the order shall also be delivered to the occupants
of the property, if any.
[Amended TC 6-16-2014]
Any person or persons aggrieved by the establishment
of a fire lane may file with the Town Clerk, within 15 days after
the effective date of an order establishing a fire lane, written notice
of appeal setting forth therein reasons therefor. The Town Manager
shall conduct a hearing on the appeal within 30 days, and after hearing,
they may affirm, modify or rescind such order.
Upon establishment of a fire lane in accordance with this chapter, the Fire Marshal shall give notice to the owner of property to erect or install adequate signs, markings and/or other devices as the Fire Marshal shall determine to delineate said fire lane. Signs, markings and/or other devices erected or installed on privately owned premises shall be at the expense of the owner and shall be of a standard size and color, of standard lettering and mounting, conforming to specifications established by the Fire Marshal. In the event that an owner of property upon which a fire lane is established fails to erect or install the markings determined by the Fire Marshal, he shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 130-10 hereof.
No person shall park or permit a motor vehicle
or any other obstruction, other than an authorized emergency vehicle,
to stand in a fire lane which has been established in accordance with
this chapter, except when actually picking up or discharging passengers.
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 a police officer, to any public or private
parking facility, and all expense of towing, storage or any other
related charges incurred shall be borne by the registered owner of
such vehicle.
[Amended BOS 5-19-1993; BOS 5-10-2006]
Whenever a vehicle or other obstruction is found in violation of § 130-7, a police officer shall serve upon the operator of such vehicle or obstruction or place upon such vehicle or obstruction a notice directing the operator thereof to appear at the Town Clerk’s office prior to a time specified in said notice to pay a fine in an amount specified in said notice. If the operator of the motor vehicle cannot be identified, the registered owner of the motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the operator of such vehicle. The fine for such violation shall be $75. If any fine is not paid within seven days, a penalty in the amount equal to the fine shall immediately become due and payable in addition to the original fine.
[Amended BOS 5-10-2006]
This chapter shall become effective immediately
upon adoption in accordance with the Charter of the Town of Cromwell
and shall apply to all premises, public or private, regardless of
the date such premises were purchased or title transferred, without
regard to any prior understanding and/or agreement, whether written
or verbal, with any person or agency of the Town of Cromwell.
