§ 335-1. Fire lanes.

A. 

A fire lane is a designated passageway of sufficient size and location to permit the unobstructed free passage of fire and other emergency equipment from a public highway to all necessary areas or portions of any private or public property. A fire lane may be designated to assure access to any public or private premises having a capacity of 15 or more persons, or in any parking lot having the capacity of 10 or more vehicles, or any water hole or hydrant maintained for fire protection purposes.

B. 

The Fire Marshal shall have the authority to designate such fire lanes as are reasonably required for the protection of persons and property and to give effect to this section. The Fire Marshal shall establish such fire lane by written order, which shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the record owner or agent of the owner of the private land, or to the responsible authority in the case of public premises. A copy of said order shall be filed with the Town Clerk, Resident State Trooper, Fire Chief and the Town Manager. Any person aggrieved by such order may file a written notice of appeal with the Town Manager within 15 days after the date of said order. The notice of appeal shall state the reasons for aggrievement. The Board of Selectmen shall conduct a hearing on said appeal within 30 days and may affirm, modify or rescind such order.

C. 

Within 15 days of the establishment of a fire lane, the owner of the property (or the responsible public agency) shall cause to be erected and installed adequate signs, markings or other devices to delineate said fire lanes and shall thereafter maintain such delineation so as to give reasonable notice to the public of the existence of such fire lane. The signs, markings or other devices shall be erected, installed and maintained under the direction and approval of the Fire Marshal or his designee. If the owner of the property fails to delineate the fire lane, the Town shall cause the same to be erected and the cost of the same shall be billed and collected as a municipal fee or assessment in the same manner as municipal taxes.

D. 

No person shall park or permit to stand a motor vehicle in a fire lane established in accordance with this section except when the operator remains in the vehicle and is in the actual process of picking up or discharging passengers. Any person violating this section shall be fined not more than $99. The registered owner of the motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the operator. In addition, any motor vehicle parked or illegally standing in a fire lane may, under the direction of the Town Manager, any police officer, the Fire Chief, or the Fire Marshal, be towed to any public or private facility, and all expense for such towing and any subsequent storage shall be borne by the registered owner of such motor vehicle.

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).

E. 

Fire lanes established pursuant to this section shall be kept free of ice and snow by the owner of the property.

F. 

In any parking lot of 10 or more vehicles, all aisles, access roads and other passageways which are not marked for parking shall automatically be designated as fire lanes, without the necessary designation or marking pursuant to Subsections B and C of this section.

G. 

Whenever a vehicle is found standing in violation of Subsection D of this section, a police officer shall serve upon the owner or operator of such vehicle a notice directing the owner or operator thereof to appear before the Town Manager 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 said notice, not exceeding $20, such payment shall bar a prosecution for violation of Subsection D.

Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).