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Select Board begins work on ordinance to reduce repeat false fire alarms
Summary
Board discussed repeated automatic false alarms and directed staff to draft ordinance language for alarm registration and potential fines, noting the need to preserve the volunteer fire department's independent nonprofit status and to examine statutory delegation questions.
The Chair raised concern about a rising number of automatic false alarms that require volunteer responders to assemble and travel to the firehouse. "Every time a false alarm goes off, you can have half a dozen members of the fire department going to the firehouse," she said, and proposed researching neighbor town ordinances that require alarm registration and allow monetary penalties for repeat offenses.
Board members debated legal details: whether delegating authority to impose fines would compromise the volunteer fire department’s nonprofit independence, which municipal official (fire chief or fire warden) should receive delegated authority, and where fine receipts would be directed. Select Board members asked the Chair to draft ordinance language, provide statutory citations, and circulate sample ordinances (including Windhall and Wardsborough) for discussion at a future meeting.
