Alarming increase in false alarms could lead to fines

NORTH CANAAN — Every time a fire alarm goes off somewhere in North Canaan, fire company volunteers leave their jobs, leave their families in the middle of dinner, get up out of bed in the middle of the night and go off to make sure the property is secure.

That’s true even when the call is a false alarm.

Recently, false fire alarms at private residences have been happening with, well, alarming regularity — often from the same address. In response, the town is now considering an ordinance that would levy a fine for repeat offenders.

The ordinance was initiated by the Canaan Fire Company (CFC) but would be enforceable as a town ordinance enacted by a town meeting vote. At New England town meetings, all property owners with more than a certain amount of property (usually $1,000; check with the town clerk) are allowed to vote on local legislation.

The goal of the ordinance is, partly, to ease the burden on volunteer emergency personnel. Another goal is for property owners to keep their alarm systems in good working order.

In the draft of the ordinance now being discussed, any property that generates two or more false alarms during a set time period would be fined $100. Exempt would be false alarms that are manually activated, assuming that is the result of human error and not a faulty system.

Selectman Charlie Perotti, the former CFC chief, said at the Feb. 1 selectmen’s meeting the fire company officers will vote on the proposed ordinance later this month.

It will be brought back at the selectmen’s March 1 meeting. If approved there, a town meeting date will be set.

The fire company would receive half of any paid fines.

An opinion by Town Attorney Judith Dixon has resulted in two options. In each, the first selectman issues a citation to the property owner. One option allows for the appeal of the citation.
Dixon said that adding in the appeal option establishes a citation hearing procedure, as prescribed by state statute. That way, they can use state resources when it comes to enforcement and collection of fines.

Dixon also suggested false alarms not be limited to calendar year counts. However, property owners would be allowed to present a written and dated inspection and /or repair report. The number of false alarms would be counted from that date forward.