Committee refers proposed increase to Gamewell fire-alarm box annual fee for technical review

The Committee on Administration and Information Systems of the Manchester Board Mayor & Aldermen voted to refer a proposed amendment to section 92.25 of the city—s Code of Ordinances for technical review.

A communication from Ryan Cash and the fire chief requested approval of an ordinance amendment —to increase the annual fee for all existing Gamewell master fire alarm boxes,— the committee was told. An unidentified speaker moved that the amendment be sent to the Committee on Bills on second reading for technical review; Alderman Lavassa moved the motion and Alderman Sapienza seconded it. The motion carried and, as recorded in the meeting, "The ayes have it."

The referral means the ordinance amendment will undergo a technical review by the Committee on Bills before further readings or a final vote by the full Board Mayor & Aldermen. The transcript does not specify the amount of the proposed fee increase, the effective date if adopted, or any fiscal impact estimates; those details were not provided in the communication described at the meeting.

The committee recorded a quorum earlier in the meeting: Chairman Long and Aldermen Lavassa, Sapienza and Fajardo were noted present; Alderman Thomas was absent. The committee did not take additional substantive action on the ordinance beyond the referral.

Next steps: the Committee on Bills is expected to perform a technical review of the proposed amendment on second reading; the meeting record does not list a date for that review or the amended fee schedule.