Town of Norton, MA Chapter 10 Alarm Systems

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Norton 5-14-2018 ATM by Art. 20. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 10-1 Definitions.

For the purpose of this bylaw, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future; words used in the plural number include the singular number; and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

FALSE ALARM

A. The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or negligence of the user of an alarm system or of his employees or agents.

B. Any signal or oral communication transmitted to the Police Department requesting or requiring or resulting in a response on the part of the Police Department when in fact there has been no unauthorized intrusion, robbery, or burglary, or attempt thereat. For purposes of this definition, activation of alarm systems by Acts of God, including but not limited to power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances, shall not be deemed to be a false alarm.

PRIVATE ALARM SYSTEM

An assembly of equipment and devices or a single device such as solid-state unit which plugs directly into a 110-volt AC line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention or an incident to which police customarily or reasonably are expected to respond. Fire alarm systems and alarm systems which monitor temperature, smoke, humidity or any other condition not directly related to the detection of an unauthorized intrusion into a premises or an attempted robbery at a premises are specifically excluded from the provisions of this bylaw. The provisions of § 10-3 of this bylaw shall not be applicable to municipal, county and state agencies.

§ 10-2 Control and curtailment of alarm signals.

A. Every alarm system user shall submit to the Chief of Police the names and telephone numbers of at least two persons who are authorized to respond to an emergency transmitted by the alarm system, and who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed.

B. All audible alarm systems installed after the effective date of this bylaw which use an audible horn or bell shall be equipped with a device that will shut off such horn or bell within 10 minutes of the activation of the alarm system.

C. Any alarm system emitting a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than 15 minutes which cannot be shut off or otherwise curtailed due to the absence or unavailability of the alarm user or those persons designated under Subsection A of this section and which disturbs the peace, comfort, or repose of a community, a neighborhood, or a number of the inhabitants of the area where the alarm system is located shall constitute a public nuisance.

D. Upon receiving complaint of such a continuous and uninterrupted signal, the Chief of Police shall endeavor to contact the alarm user, or members of the alarm user's family, or those persons designated by the alarm user under Subsection A, in an effort to abate the nuisance. If such efforts do not result in the silencing of the alarm within 30 minutes of its activation, the Police Chief may, at the expense of the owner, order its deactivation using whatever means may be appropriate to the occasion. The Police Chief shall cause to be recorded the names and addresses of all complainants, and the time of each complaint.

§ 10-3 Enforcement and fines.

Upon receipt of three or more false alarms within a calendar year:

A. The Police Chief may order the user to:

(1) Discontinue use of the alarm;

(2) Disconnect any direct connections to the Police Department; or

(3) Ensure that further connections to the communications console in the Police Department will be contingent upon the user equipping any alarm system with a device that will shut off any audible horn or bell within 10 minutes after activation of the alarm system.

B. The user shall be assessed $50 as a false alarm fine by the Town or its contracted billing agency for each false alarm in excess of three occurring within a calendar year. False alarm fines shall be paid to the Town Treasurer for deposit to the general fund.