Kent OKs fire safety measures

KENT — In a town meeting lasting 15 minutes on Friday, voters approved three items relating to fire safety ordinances. The vote was to have taken place on June 27 along with one pertaining to the ban of wake boats on Lake Waramaug, but attendance was so high, the meeting had to be postponed due to the lack of space at Town Hall.

The first issue pertained to repealing and replacing an ordinance on open burning. Tim Limbos, who recently took over the fire marshal’s position, when asked about the change, said when he reviewed the ordinance, there was only one and it didn’t contain the material from the state. “I wanted to put all the state requirements into the ordinance,” he said.

Matt Starr wondered why there was a special town meeting being held when the items could have been on the agenda of the referendum planned for July 31 on the wake boat ban. He said putting the questions on a referendum would be fair, because there were so few people at the meeting and it affects so many.

First Selectman Marti Lindenmayer replied that the town attorney advised that the boat referendum, which is also being held in Warren and Washington the same day, all have the same wording. He said it was thought best not to wait another two weeks for the vote. Selectman Lynn Worthington added, the selectmen thought the fire marshal should be present to answer questions.

The next vote was about repealing and replacing the ordinance dealing with fire alarm systems. Joseph Bergin, facilities manager at Kent School, wondered how this would affect the private school when there are false alarms. Limbos said a letter is sent the first time it happens. A fine is imposed the second time, but a note from the fire alarm company could return the fine.

“Where is the discretion?” asked Starr. “Who gets the letter and who is fined? This is ridiculous to try to add teeth to an ordinance that’s never enforced.” Limbos said the fire alarm companies need to get their information to him.

There was no discussion on the third vote, which dealt with repealing and replacing the ordinance dealing with fire prevention.

There was overwhelming support for the ordinance changes from the dozen or so in attendance, with one or two voting no on some of them.