Fire hydrants shall be installed where designated
by the Cromwell Fire Marshal or designee. Hydrants shall meet the
following specifications: Installation shall be not less than three
feet nor more than five feet from the outside of the curb or the edge
of the pavement. Steamer or five-inch connections shall be not less
than 18 inches above the finished grade. No obstructions, such as,
but not limited to, guard rails, walls, fences, hedges, bushes or
screen planting, shall be placed within three feet of any hydrant
or Cromwell Fire Department connection on any public or private property.
Written fire hydrant specifications shall be available through the
Office of the Cromwell Fire Marshal.
Any person, firm or developer who or which has installed private fire hydrants in accordance with §
157-1 of this article shall be required to annually subscribe to and pay for maintenance service, which is available through the Cromwell Fire District or a qualified service company. All hydrants shall be maintained in accordance with standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, Inc. (NFPA). These standards shall be available through the Office of the Cromwell Fire Marshal.
The Town of Cromwell or Cromwell Fire District may repair or order the repair of a defective hydrant on private property and bill the cost of such work to the owner. In the event of the owner's failure to pay for said repair, the Cromwell Fire District may cause a lien to be placed against the property, which may be enforced according to §
1-3 of Chapter
1, General Provisions, of the Cromwell Town Code.
The owners, entities, or persons in possession
and control of property that includes a fire hydrant shall bring any
existing hydrant installed prior to the effective date of this article
into compliance with this article no later than 180 days after the
effective date of this article. Fire hydrants shall not be screened
or otherwise obstructed by trees, shrubs, fences, or any structure
that impedes access to the hydrant from the Cromwell Fire District
and/or Cromwell Fire Department personnel. Painting, changing the
grade or any other alteration to the hydrant or its surroundings that
diminishes the visibility of the hydrant shall not be permitted.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any
provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine of up to $90
or any larger amount that the Connecticut General Statutes permit
the Town of Cromwell to fine for violations of municipal ordinances.
A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during
or on which a violation occurs or continues. It shall be the duty
of the Cromwell Fire Marshal or designee to report to the Cromwell
Chief of Police any violation of this article and the duty of the
Cromwell Chief of Police or designee to enforce this article.
If the property owner, person, or entity in possession of private property that includes a fire hydrant fails to remove snow and ice around such hydrant within 24 hours after the cessation of a snow or ice storm, such person may be fined up to $90 or any larger amount that the Connecticut General Statutes permit the Town of Cromwell to fine for violations of municipal ordinances. A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day of neglect or refusal to comply with any of the provisions of this article. If the Director of the Water Division orders the removal of the snow and ice, as provided for in §
157-9C, the property owners, persons, or entities in possession and control of such hydrant shall be billed for the expenses of said removal in addition to the penalties provided in this section.