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Council revisits Knox Box ordinance for emergency access; staff flags legal and implementation hurdles
Summary
Municipal Manager R. Jeroski described options for requiring Knox Boxes for first‑responder access, including triggering installation at change of ownership; a council member mentioned an "opt‑out" idea but staff warned waivers could be legally problematic.
Municipal Manager R. Jeroski briefed councilors on a possible Knox Box ordinance, noting the township considered a similar measure in 2019 but it did not proceed. He said a Knox Box would allow first responders access to a building during an emergency or fire alarm and that requiring installation within six months of enactment could be difficult to implement; he proposed tying installation to a change of hands when a Certificate of Occupancy is required.
A council member mentioned an "opt‑out" option for businesses, but Jeroski cautioned that any waiver would need to be legally applicable in all cases and "may create more issues." Council did not take a formal vote at the agenda meeting; the topic was discussed for potential future ordinance drafting and legal review.
