Sections in this category:
Town Code: Safety
Alarms
Chapter 7. Alarms
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Weston 11-7-1984, effective 1-1-1985 (Ch. 7.8, Art. II, of the 1981 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Police Department — See Ch. 46, Art. I.
§ 7-1. Findings.
Emergency services in the Town have been heavily burdened with calls emanating from automatic alarm systems which are caused by mechanical malfunctions or other such false alarms.
Prolonged sound from audible alarm systems has disturbed residents and has resulted in expenditures of Town moneys at great effort and risk in repeated attempts to silence such alarms.
It is, nevertheless, desirable to encourage residents to procure and properly use security devices and alarm systems.
The general welfare and safety of the residents of the Town will be best served and protected by the establishment of an ordinance requiring the registration of all systems and establishing a mechanism to reduce the number of false alarms and promote the responsible use of alarm devices in Weston.
§ 7-2. Definitions.
Any device which, when activated, transmits a signal to the Town's communications center; which transmits a signal to a person, firm or corporation which in turn relays such signal to an emergency number; or which produces an external audible signal as an alert that an emergency exists.
An office to which remote alarm devices transmit signals where operators monitor those signals and relay information to the appropriate emergency service.
Any telephone number designated by the Administrator as a number through which an emergency may be reported.
Any activation of an alarm device to which an emergency service of the Town responds which is not the result of an actual emergency.
The Town's fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.
§ 7-3. Administrator.
This chapter, including all registration requirements, shall be administered by the First Selectman or his or her designee, who shall be known as the "Administrator."
§ 7-4. Appeals Board.
There shall exist an Appeals Board consisting of the Board of Selectmen or its designees. The Board shall have the powers and duties granted to it by this chapter.
§ 7-5. Registration required.
Each user of an existing alarm device shall register his/her alarm device with the Administrator within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter. Any alarm system installed after the effective date of this chapter shall be registered with the Administrator within 30 days. Such registration shall set forth, but not be limited to, the name, address and telephone number of both the installer of the system and the user on whose premises the system is installed, as well as a description of the system. Such registration shall also set forth the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of key holders who may gain entry to the premises having the alarm device.
§ 7-6. Dialing devices.
Any alarm device which automatically connects a telephone line to an emergency service shall transmit messages only to such numbers as may be designated for receipt of such messages by the Administrator.
Automatic dialing devices coming directly into the communications center will be prohibited in any new systems. Existing dialers connected to the communications center must not send more than two signals and must have no more than a one-minute interval between signals. Existing dialers connected to the communications center must be disconnected within two years or when ownership of the premises changes hands, whichever occurs first.
§ 7-7. Exterior audible devices.
Except as otherwise provided by law, no alarm device which produces an exterior audible sound shall be installed unless its operation is automatically deactivated after no more than 10 minutes.
Within 60 days of enactment of this chapter, preexisting alarms which produce an exterior audible sound shall be retrofitted so that they are automatically deactivated after no more than 10 minutes.
§ 7-8. Auxiliary power.
All new systems shall have their own auxiliary power source which shall be maintained in working order.
§ 7-9. Charges for false alarms.
When the Administrator determines that a false alarm has occurred, the Administrator shall impose a charge on the user of the responsible alarm device according to the following schedule:
For the first three false alarms in a fiscal year: no charge.
For the fourth false alarm in a fiscal year: $20.
For the fifth false alarm in a fiscal year: $35.
For the sixth false alarm and any thereafter in a fiscal year: $50.
Failure to pay any such charges within 30 days of the imposition thereof shall constitute a violation of this chapter. Each month thereafter that the charge remains unpaid shall constitute a separate violation.
§ 7-10. Appeals from false alarm charges.
Whenever a charge for a false alarm is imposed against a user, said user may, within 30 days of the imposition of the charge, appeal by filing a written notice of appeal with the Administrator. The Administrator or the Appeals Board shall set a time and place for hearing the appeal no later than 20 days from receipt by the Administrator of the appeal. The Appeals Board shall render a written decision within five days of the conclusion of the hearing. The filing of an appeal shall stay the collection of any of the charges imposed on the user until such time as a decision is rendered. Failure of an Appeals Board to act within the time limitations imposed in this section shall result in the revocation of the charges from which the appeal was taken.
§ 7-11. Disclaimer of liability.
Except as expressly provided herein, the Town, its departments, officers, agents and employees shall be under no obligation whatsoever concerning the adequacy, operation or maintenance of any alarm system or of the alarm monitoring facilities. No liability whatsoever is assumed for the failure of such alarm systems or monitoring facilities or for failure to respond to alarms or for any other act or omission in connection with such alarm systems. Each alarm user shall be deemed to hold and save harmless the Town, its departments, officers, agents and employees from liability in connection with the user's alarm device.
§ 7-12. Penalties for offenses.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of $90 for each such violation. Each month that a violation remains uncorrected shall constitute a separate violation.
§ 7-13. Exceptions.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to alarm devices on premises owned and occupied by the Town or one of its departments or agencies, including the Board of Education, the State of Connecticut or the United States of America nor to alarm devices installed in a motor vehicle, trailer or boat.
Burning Outdoor
Chapter 32. Burning, Outdoor
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Weston 9-6-1990, effective 1-30-1991 (Ch. 5 of the 1981 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
§ 32-1. Burning regulations; permit required.
The following regulations shall govern burning in the Town of Weston:
All burning conditions shall be determined by the Fire Marshal, and every holder of a burning permit issued by the Fire Marshal shall contact the Communications Center before commencing to burn.
Fire permits shall be obtained for all outdoor burning, except burning in barbecue grills or outdoor fireplaces.
A special permit shall be obtained from the Fire Marshal for the burning of fields, or burning for commercial brush removal, when no alternate means of disposal is available.
There shall be no burning within 25 feet of any road or highway.
There shall be no burning on high-hazard days, as determined by the Fire Marshal.
Burning shall be permitted only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All fires shall be extinguished by 5:00 p.m.
There shall be no burning in the case of windy conditions (wind velocity of 15 miles per hour or more); under such conditions, all burning permits that have been issued shall be automatically void.
Burning permits shall be valid for one day only.
Burning permits in no way relieve a person from the responsibility for damage caused by his fire to another person's property.
During a smog alert there will be no burning outdoors until the State of Connecticut lifts the ban.
Burning permits will continue to be issued, subject to the Fire Marshal's instructions.
The burning of garbage or other household waste is forbidden at all times; no building scraps, asphalt shingles, or leaves shall be burned at any time in the Town of Weston.
§ 32-2. Penalties for offenses; enforcement.
There is imposed a fine of $90 for each violation of these regulations, to be enforced by the Police Department and Fire Marshal. All fines and costs of suppression shall be enforced by citations issued by the Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal shall issue a written warning providing notice of any specific violation and/or cost of suppression before issuing the citation.
For any violation of these regulations which requires Fire Department personnel to extinguish fires, violators will be fined $90 plus suppression costs at the rate of $15 per hour, per fireman. All fines and costs of suppression shall be enforced by citations issued by the Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal shall issue a written warning providing notice of any specific violation and/or cost of suppression before issuing the citation.
Emergency Disaster Planning
Chapter 61. Emergency and Disaster Planning
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Weston 7-9-2009, effective 9-1-2009. Amendments noted where applicable.]
§ 61-1. Purpose and declaration of policy.
This chapter is enacted to set out and clarify the authority of the Town of Weston and its officials and employees with regard to emergency and disaster situations. It is intended to grant as broad a power as permitted by statutory and constitutional authority.
§ 61-2. Definitions.
Includes, but is not limited to, any condition of unrest, riot, civil disobedience, affray, unlawful assembly, hostile or military or paramilitary action, war, terrorism or sabotage.
Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive.
Whether natural or man-made, includes, but is not limited to, flood, fire, cyclone, tornado, earthquake, severe high or low temperatures, water contamination or pollution, land contamination or pollution, air pollution, blizzard, landslide, mudslide, hurricane, building or structural collapse, high water table, pandemic disease, epidemic, riot, blight, drought, civil emergency, utility emergency, severe energy shortages, snow, ice, windstorm, hazardous substance spills or releases, chemical spills or releases, petroleum spills or releases, biological matter spills or releases, radiation releases or exposures, infestation, explosions, sabotage, commercial aircraft crash, mass transportation accidents or public health emergencies.
The threat or occurrence of a disaster, civil emergency or utility emergency affecting the Town of Weston and its residents and inhabitants where the First Selectman determines that the exercise or discharge of emergency or disaster powers is necessary to save lives, protect property, protect the public health and safety, or to lessen or to avert the threat of a catastrophe or calamity within the Town.
Includes, but not be limited to, conditions which endanger or threaten to endanger the safety, potability, availability transmission, distribution, treatment, or storage of water, natural gas, gas, fuel, electricity, communication, garbage, or sewage.
§ 61-3. First Selectman's power during emergency.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Weston Town Code to the contrary and pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 28-8(a), when the First Selectman determines in the First Selectman's sole discretion that a state of public emergency exists or may exist within the Town, the First Selectman may take such action as he or she deems necessary and may exercise all emergency power, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
The power to direct emergency response activities by Town departments, including, but not limited to, the Police and Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Services, and by other such emergency services personnel as the First Selectman may designate or appoint.
The power to execute contracts for the emergency construction or repair of public improvements, when the delay of advertising and public bidding might cause serious loss or injury to the Town, upon following the procedures of § 61-11.
The power to purchase or lease goods and services that the First Selectman deems necessary to the Town's emergency response or for the repair of Town facilities, or both, upon following the procedures of § 61-11.
The power to lease real property, or structures, or both, that the First Selectman deems necessary for the continued operation of Town government.
The power to promulgate rules and orders to implement the exercising of emergency power.
The power to delegate any or all of these duties to the Director of Emergency Management as defined in § 61-6.
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
§ 61-4. Effective date and termination of emergency powers.
Proclamations, rules, and orders issued pursuant to § 61-3 shall be effective upon issuance and shall remain in effect until withdrawn by the First Selectman or other issuing authority. Upon the expiration of the local state of emergency, those persons acting pursuant to § 61-3 shall cease to exercise emergency powers.
§ 61-5. Penalties for offenses.
The violation of a declaration of emergency, a subsequent declaration exercising emergency powers, a rule, or order, which declaration, rule or order is issued pursuant to § 61-3, or the violation of any order or directive given by a peace officer or designated emergency services personnel pursuant to authority resulting from § 61-3 is an infraction and punishable by a fine of $90.
§ 61-6. Selection of Director of Emergency Management.
The Board of Selectmen appoints the Town's Director of Emergency Management.
§ 61-7. General duties of Director of Emergency Management.
The Director of Emergency Management shall be responsible for the performance and supervision of performance of all duties in connection with coordinating and carrying out the Town's role in furnishing services in the event of major natural or man-made disasters or emergencies.
The Director of Emergency Management shall assist the First Selectman or other designee in the exercise of emergency powers under § 61-3.
The Director of Emergency Management shall act in coordination with the State and other governmental agencies as may be necessary to plan and implement a joint jurisdiction emergency planning and emergency management plan and mutual aid arrangements.
The Director of Emergency Management shall consult with the Town Attorney in the planning and exercise of emergency powers.
§ 61-8. Emergency operations plan.
The Director of Emergency Management shall recommend for adoption by the Board of Selectmen an emergency operations plan for the Town Board of Selectmen. The Director of Emergency Management shall make continuing studies of the need for amendments and improvements in such plans.
§ 61-9. Other specific powers and duties of Director.
The Director of Emergency Management shall:
Request the First Selectman when appropriate to declare a state of emergency as provided in § 61-3.
Control and direct emergency training activities.
Maintain a liaison with other municipal, state, regional and federal emergency management agencies.
Marshal and direct, after the declaration of a state of emergency, the operational emergency management organization of the Town, including all necessary personnel, equipment and supplies from any department of the Town to aid in carrying out the emergency operations plan.
Prepare under the direction of the First Selectman, and in consultation with the Town Attorney, all necessary emergency declarations, rules, and orders, pursuant to § 61-3, and implementing the emergency operations plan.
Coordinate the drafting of proposed mutual aid agreements.
Serve as a member of the command and general staff for any joint or mutual emergency operation administration.
Assume other emergency responsibilities as assigned by the First Selectman.
§ 61-10. Operational organization.
The operational emergency management organization of the Town shall consist of municipal officers and employees who may be designated by the Town Manager and volunteer workers. Plans of organization shall substantially conform to recommendations of the federal government and the State Office of Emergency Management.
§ 61-11. Emergency procurements.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Weston Town Code to the contrary, the First Selectman, upon declaration of a state of emergency by proclamation as provided in § 61-3, may authorize the Town Administrator or the Town Administrator's designee to procure, by purchase or lease, such goods and services as are deemed necessary for the Town's emergency response effort. This emergency procurement of goods or services may be made in the open market without filing a requisition or estimate and without advertisement for immediate delivery or furnishing. A full written account of all required materials, supplies, equipment, or services shall be submitted to or provided to the Town Administrator within 30 days after their procurement, and shall be open to public inspection for a period of at least one year subsequent to the date of the emergency purchases. The Town Administrator shall, within three months of the conclusion of the emergency, prepare a written report of the emergency expenditures for the Board of Selectmen.
Firearms
Chapter 79. Firearms
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Weston 6-10-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 79, Firearms, adopted 7-1-1985, effective 7-31-1985, as amended in its entirety effective 8-1-1990 (Ch. 7.8, Art. III, of the 1981 Code).
§ 79-1. Legislative findings; purpose and intent.
Connecticut General Statutes, § 7-148(c)(7)(H)(xiii), charges the Board of Selectmen with the responsibility to "promote the peace, safety, good government and welfare of the municipality and its inhabitants." The Board of Selectmen believes that the misuse of firearms by individuals who are not properly trained and qualified to use them can endanger public health and safety, and that safe storage practices are essential to public welfare. The Board recommends securing firearms and ammunition in a manner that will prevent unauthorized access when not in use, preferably in a locked gun safe or similar enclosure.
§ 79-2. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, certain words are defined as follows:
Shall have the same meaning as that provided under state law.
Shall have the same meaning as that provided under state law.
The legal or beneficial owner of a parcel of land, or a tenant of such owner, or an authorized agent or invited guest of such owner or of such tenant.
Shall have the same meaning as that provided under state law.
Shooting a firearm at a fixed or moving object.
§ 79-3. Prohibition.
No person shall discharge any machine gun or assault weapon in the Town of Weston.
No person shall discharge any firearm for target practice in the Town of Weston, except that trapshooting, skeet shooting and shooting at sporting clays with shotguns, in which clay targets are thrown to simulate birds in flight, are permissible exclusively at the Weston Field Club, the Weston Gun Club, or other locations as approved by the Chief of Police and the Board of Selectmen.
No person under the age of 16 years shall discharge any firearm anywhere in the Town of Weston, except that persons between the ages of 12 years and 16 years may discharge a firearm for target practice pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this section, provided that such firearm is discharged in the presence of and under the supervision of the person's parent, legal guardian, school or camp official over the age of 18.
Nothing in this § 79-3 shall apply to:
(1) Any local, state or federal officer authorized to enforce criminal law, or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the State of Connecticut, or an authorized messenger or bank guard, and only when such person is acting in the performance of his or her duties as such; or
[Amended 5-7-2015]
Any person, when acting to defend himself or herself or a third person from physical force in a manner consistent with state law.
§ 79-4. State and federal regulations applicable.
Nothing herein shall be construed to permit the use, possession or discharge of any firearm for any purpose otherwise prohibited or regulated under any statute or regulation of the State of Connecticut or any state agency or the United States Government.
§ 79-5. Penalties for offenses.
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of $250 for each such violation. This penalty shall apply to the parent or legal guardian of any minor who violates the provisions of § 79-3C.