Fire lane measure introduced

Proposal gives Hopewell Township police and fire officials the power to have a violating vehicle towed from a fire lane

By John Tredrea
   The Hopewell Township fire official will have the authority to establish fire lanes if a proposed ordinance introduced by the Township Committee on Monday night is adopted as expected Oct. 9.
   The ordinance is needed to keep township law on fire lanes in conformity with the state’s Uniform Fire Code, township Fire Official Matt Martin said at Monday’s meeting. That conformity is required by state law, he added.
   The introduced ordinance says the state code authorizes the local fire official "to establish fire lanes on properties . . . where the operation and parking of motor vehicles or creating of other similar obstructions would interfere with adequate ingress, egress and operation of firefighting equipment and other emergency vehicles."
   Penalties for first-time offenders of the proposed ordinance would be at least $61, the measure states. Repeat offenders would be fined at least $61 and given "up to 90 days of community service on such terms and in such form as the municipal judge shall deem appropriate," the proposed measure states.
   The introduced ordinance also gives township police and fire officials the power to have a violating vehicle towed from a fire lane. The owner of the vehicle would be responsible "for any towing and related fees."