Town of Cohasset, MA Alarm Systems

For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their definitions shall have the meaning 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.

BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM

An assembly of equipment and devices or a single device, such as a solid state unit which plugs directly into a one-hundred-ten-volt AC line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police 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 article. The provisions of §§ 60-2 to 60-6 of this article shall apply to all users.

DIRECT COMMUNICATION

An alarm system which has the capability of transmitting system signals directly to an appropriate receiver within the Cohasset Police Station.

FALSE ALARM

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

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 the purpose of this definition, activation of alarm systems by act of God, including but not limited to power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances, shall not be deemed to be false alarms.

INTERCONNECT

To connect an alarm system to a voice-grade telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit an emergency message indicating the activation of the alarm system.

PUBLIC NUISANCE

Anything which annoys, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of any persons or of any community or neighborhood.

§ 60-2 Rules.

The Chief of Police, with the approval of the Selectmen, may promulgate such rules as may be necessary for the implementation of this article.

§ 60-3 Automatic dialing devices.

Interconnecting system.

(1)

No automatic dialing device shall be interconnected to any telephone numbers at the Police Department after the effective date of this article.

(2)

All automatic dialing devices interconnected to Police Department telephone lines shall be disconnected. The user of each device shall be responsible for having the device disconnected upon notification by the Chief of Police.

Intermediary services. Any person using an automatic dialing device may have the device interfaced through existing telephone lines to an appropriately equipped transfer station for transmission to the Police Department. Transfer is to be facilitated through:

(1)

Private answering service.

(2)

Privately owned or operated facility or terminal.

§ 60-4 Direct connections to Police Department.

All alarms shall be subject to authorization by the Chief of Police prior to being connected to the Cohasset Police Station.

The Chief of Police shall have the authority to request proposals and bids from alarm companies in order to furnish at no cost to the Town a communications console and the necessary lines of communications which are compatible with the receipt of alarm signals. Each of the bids shall set forth the annual fee each alarm user will be required to pay the alarm company for services rendered, except that no fee shall be assessed to the Town of Cohasset for any alarms or connections to the console from properties owned by the Town of Cohasset. Such services shall be set forth in the form of a written contract between the alarm company and each alarm user. The provisions of this Subsection B relate solely to the aforementioned communications console, connections by the alarm user, and fees and charges related to the installation and maintenance of the console. Any alarm user has the right to contact any alarm company of his choice for the sale, installation, maintenance, and/or service of the alarm system to be installed on his premises.

§ 60-5 Control and curtailment of signals emitted by alarm systems.

Every alarm user shall submit to the Chief of Police the names and telephone numbers of at least two other persons who are authorized to respond to an emergency signal transmitted by an alarm system and who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed. It shall be incumbent upon the owner of said premises to immediately notify the Cohasset Police Department of any changes in the list of authorized persons or employees so named in the alarm listing.

All 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 after activation of the alarm system. All existing alarm systems in use within the Town of Cohasset shall be required to install an appropriate shutoff device and otherwise comply with the provisions of this article.

Any alarm system emitting a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than 10 minutes, which cannot be shut off or otherwise curtailed due to the absence or unavailability of the alarm user or those persons designated by him under Subsection A of this section and which disturbs the peace, comfort or repose of the community, or a neighborhood where the alarm system is located, shall constitute a public nuisance. Upon receiving complaints regarding such a continuous and uninterrupted signal, the Police Chief shall endeavor to contact the alarm user, or member of the alarm user's family, or those persons designated by the alarm user under Subsection A of this section in an effort to abate the nuisance. The Police Chief shall cause to be recorded the names and addresses of all complainants and the time each complaint was made.

No alarm system which is designed to transmit emergency messages or signals of intrusion to the Police Department shall be tested until the police dispatcher has been notified. Unauthorized tests will constitute a false alarm.

§ 60-6 Violations and penalties.

The user shall be assessed $25 as a false alarm service fee for each false alarm in excess of three occurring within a calendar year. The Police Chief shall notify the alarm user by certified mail or by service in hand by a police officer of such violation and said user shall submit payment within 30 days of said notice to the Treasurer-Collector for deposit into the general fund.

Failure to remove an interconnecting system within 30 days of notice shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine of $50.

Interconnection of an automatic dialing device to any Police Department telephone shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine of $50.

Failure to establish and maintain an emergency list of at least two persons or employees suitable for notification shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine of $50.

Failure to comply with the penalties established in this section may result in a written order from the Chief of Police causing all connections to the user's alarm to be removed from the Cohasset Police Department.

Article II Fire Alarm Systems

[Adopted 7-17-2000 (Art. VII, § 27A, of the 1988 General Bylaws)]

§ 60-7 Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their definitions shall have the meaning 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 include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

ALARM SYSTEM

Either a fire alarm system or other alarm system as described below:

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMAn assembly of equipment and devices or a single device such as a single station unit which plugs directly into an electrical connection, or a device which has its own battery power, arranged to signal the presence of fire, heat, smoke or other hazard requiring urgent attention and to which the Fire Department is expected to respond. Burglar alarm systems and alarm systems which monitor movement, vibration or unauthorized intrusion into a premises are specifically excluded from the provisions of this article.

OTHER ALARM SYSTEMAn assembly of equipment and devices or a single device such as a single station unit which plugs directly into an electrical connection or a device arranged to signal the presence of a hazard or hazardous situation requiring urgent attention and to which the Fire Department is expected to respond. Other alarm systems may include, but are not restricted to, a system which is designed to detect the presence of a hazardous, flammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive or otherwise harmful gas, liquid or solid. Burglar alarm systems and alarm systems which monitor movement, vibration or unauthorized intrusion into a premises are specifically excluded from the provisions of this article.

FALSE ALARM

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

Any signal or oral communication transmitted to the Fire Department requesting or requiring or resulting in a response on the part of the Fire Department when in fact there has been no activation due to the presence of fire, heat, smoke, or other hazardous condition.

For the purpose of either Subsection A or B above, activation of alarm systems due to an act of God, including but not limited to power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances, shall not be deemed to be false alarms.

§ 60-8 Control and curtailment of signals emitted by alarm systems.

Every alarm user shall submit to the Chief of the Fire Department the names and telephone numbers of at least two other persons who are authorized to respond to an emergency signal transmitted by an alarm system and who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed. It shall be incumbent upon the owner of said premises to immediately notify the Cohasset Fire Department of any changes in the list of authorized persons or employees so named in the alarm listing.

In order to protect against the situation where an alarm user or his designee is unable to respond to open the premises for investigation and abate the signal or noise emitted by the alarm system, the Cohasset Fire Department shall be issued a key and detailed instructions in order to enter and reset or discontinue the audible or visual alarm(s). The owner or his designee shall be responsible for providing security, if necessary, in the event that the alarm system cannot be properly reset and placed back in service.

No alarm system which is designed to transmit emergency messages or signals of fire or other hazards to the Cohasset Fire Department shall be tested or taken out of service for maintenance, alteration, or repair unless the Fire/Police Dispatcher has been notified. Unauthorized tests or activations due to failure of the owner or his agents to comply with the specifications of this section shall constitute a false alarm.

§ 60-9 Violations and penalties.

The user shall be assessed $250 as a false alarm service fee for each false alarm in excess of three occurring within a calendar year. The Chief of the Fire Department shall notify the alarm user by certified mail of such violation and said user shall submit payment within 30 days of said notice to the Cohasset Fire Department for deposit into the general fund.

Failure to establish and maintain an emergency list of at least two persons or employees suitable for notification shall constitute a violation punishable by a fine of $50.

Failure to comply with the penalties established in this section may result in a written order from the Chief of the Fire Department causing all connection to the user's alarm system to be removed from the Cohasset Fire Department.