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Center Harbor Selectmen OK Alarm Regulations

Selectmen have approved an ordinance which regulates the operation of alarm systems and imposes potential fines for multiple false alarms.

The ordinance, which was approved Wednesday evening, was generated by Police Chief Mark Chase and then interim Fire Chief Bob Wood with current Fire Chief John Schlemmer to place fines on multiple false alarms and requirements on certain systems. 

"Most of this form is very generic, it's copied after everyone else," Schlemmer said, as the ordinance is based on the same ordinance in other towns.

Schlemmer and Chase presented the ordinance to the selectmen during a public hearing on Wednesday.

Under the ordinance, there would be no penalties for the first three false alarms — fire and burglar — for any one location. More than three false alarms in a 12-month period would generate fines with $100 on the fourth occurrence and $200 for the fifth and every subsequent occurrence.

Chase said he and Schlemmer will confer on a monthly basis to share the respective alarm calls they have gotten. Chase said two fire alarm activations and two burglar alarm activations on the same property count as four alarms for that property. 

If there are six or more false alarms in a year, the Fire or Police Chief will issue a letter advising the owner to disconnect the alarm. The owner will be responsible for contacting the alarm company unless the owner can prove why the alarm should not be disconnected within 30 days. An advisement to disconnect will also be sent if the owner fails to pay the fine within 30 days of receiving it. 

Any decisions and fees can be appealed to the selectmen.

Additionally, installation of an alarm system cannot take place without the written permission of the Fire Department, the Police Department, or both. All buildings that have a fire alarm installed must also have a Knox Key Box, a safe box accessible by emergency personnel containing a key to the building. The lock box requirement goes into effect in six months, which Schlemmer said was especially a provision for summer residents.

"It's to their advantage to get it done quickly, but we'll give them time," Schlemmer said. "They have all summer to get it done."

Access to alarm-equipped properties also must be maintained and owners must keep the Fire and Police Departments updated on information regarding the alarm system.

Additionally, all alarm systems connected to the Fire and Police Departments by dialing through the phone line are also prohibited. Town safety officials said the direct dialer alarms take over the property's phone lines and make them unusable during an emergency situation.

Both Chase and Schlemmer said there are already few alarm systems in town. The alarm companies will also be told of the ordinance to pass the information to perspective owners in Center Harbor.

"Our goal is nobody gets fined," Chase said. "Our goal is compliance."

The selectmen approved the ordinance in a unanimous vote.