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Select Board adopts revised private fire-hydrant ordinance; adds year-round accessibility requirement
Summary
The board adopted updates to the town's private fire-hydrant ordinance, adding clearer language, GPS/address tracking and a requirement that owners keep hydrants accessible and clear of snow and debris (3-foot clearance); the measure passed after a brief amendment and will be posted for 60 days.
The Town of Rutland Select Board adopted revisions to the private fire-hydrant ordinance on March 11 after discussion and a board amendment that adds a year-round accessibility requirement.
The updated ordinance modernizes language, adds an inspection form and requires owners of private hydrants to install reflective flags to aid location in snow. During the meeting board members proposed and the board adopted an amendment specifying that proper maintenance shall include keeping hydrants accessible at all times and free from snow and debris; members discussed adding a three-foot clearance requirement and the board agreed on that standard.
Fire department staff and the board noted the town now maintains GPS coordinates and E-911 addresses for each hydrant to improve response and inspection records. The ordinance will move forward with legal formatting and the town will publish required warnings and notices; one business previously fined for noncompliance paid the penalty, the board noted.
