[Adopted 7-12-1973 (§ 18-15 of the 1974 Code)]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The traffic lane or other area sufficient in width adjacent
to the front, rear, or sides of public buildings or private buildings
devoted to public use with a capacity of 50 or more persons to permit
free passage of heavy fire apparatus and other emergency equipment
to all necessary areas in all seasons and all kinds of weather. Nothing
in this article is intended to designate any portion of a public street,
even though such street may be used for parking, as a fire lane.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that
the reasonable safety of persons occupying or using any such building
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. He shall cause a copy of such order to be delivered
to the owner or owners, or agents thereof, of any land on which such
fire lane is established.
Whenever the Fire Marshal establishes a fire
lane, he shall file one copy of his order with each: the Town Clerk,
the Fire Chief, and the Traffic Division of the Police Department.
Any person aggrieved by such order may file with the Town Clerk a
written notice of appeal, within 15 days after the date of such order,
setting forth therein reasons of aggrievement. After hearing before
the Town Manager with the aggrieved and Fire Marshal present, the
Town Manager may affirm, modify or rescind such order.
Upon establishment of a fire lane, the Traffic
Division of the Police Department shall cause to be erected or installed
adequate signs, markings and other devices to delineate said fire
lane. Signs, markings and other devices erected or installed on privately
owned premises shall be at the cost of the owner. In lieu of the foregoing,
the owner may install, or cause to have installed, adequate signs,
markings and other devices under the direction of the Traffic Division.
No person shall park, or permit to stand, a
motor vehicle in a fire lane which has been established in accordance
with this article except when loading or unloading, at which time
such motor vehicle shall not be unattended. Any person violating this
section shall be fined not more than $100. The registered owner of
a motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the operator of such vehicle.
Fire lanes established under this article shall
be kept free of ice and snow by the owner, and fire hydrants located
on private property shall be accessible from said fire lanes and also
kept free of snow by the owner.
Any motor vehicle found standing in a fire lane
which has been established in accordance with this section may be
towed, upon the direction of a police officer, 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.
Whenever a vehicle is found standing in violation of § 404-14, a police officer shall serve upon the owner or operator of such vehicle, or place upon such vehicle, a notice directing the owner or operator thereof to appear at the Police Department prior to a time specified in said notice. If any person receiving said notice shall appear as directed and shall pay an amount as specified in § 225-1 of this Code, such payment shall bar a prosecution for violation of § 404-14.
