Local News - January 2003

City gets tougher on false alarms

Permit approved for East Main retail center

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

January 10, 2003 - The Lincolnton City Council Thursday night approved a resolution that police and fire officials hope will curb the number of false alarms in the city.

Police Chief Terry Burgin told council members that 20 percent of the calls city police receive are alarm calls.

Of those, 98 percent turn out to be false.

Those are startling numbers that strain the resources of the police department, Burgin said.

Every alarm call warrants the response of at least two officers, he said, sometimes as many as four. And that means those officers are off the street, unable to respond to real calls for service.

The new resolution adopted by the council will impose fees on businesses and individuals that exceed a certain number of false alarms a year.

Burgin hopes the possibility of being fined will be a wake up call to alarm users. He wants them to know more about their alarm systems, since user error is accountable for 70 percent of the city’s false alarms.

That’s the main purpose of the resolution — to encourage alarm users and companies to properly use and maintain their systems.

The new rules will not go into effect until April, so the police department can have time to notify businesses to register their alarms.

The new system will work like this: When an alarm is activated, officials from the police or fire department will inspect the area and determine whether the response was necessary.

Users will be fined $50 for the third through fifth false alarms during a 12-month period. The sixth through eighth will result in a $100 fine; ninth through 11th will cost $200; 12th or more, $300 each.

Failure to pay can result in the discontinuance of police response.

During a meeting in December when Burgin originally brought the issue before council, he assured them that if there is an actual call for assistance, police help will not be denied.

It’s the mechanical alarm calls that cause problems, he said.

Alarm users can get a break by participating in an educational program for false alarm prevention. The completion of the course will satisfy requirements in lieu of paying the $50 service fee one time.

In other business:

·  Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the renovation and new construction of a retail/office/restaurant center on East Main Street.

The request was submitted by Tim Brumm, who told council he is excited about the development.

“I have a real passion for real estate,” Brumm said.

He spoke positively about Lincolnton, calling it a “vibrant community.”

“I want to do something where it takes on a life of its own,” Brumm said. “I want to do something that’s going have an air of sophistication.”

The proposed development will be located on the south side of East Main Street, approximately 350 feet east of the intersection of East Main and Newbold streets. Cronland Hardware formerly occupied the property.

The development will feature a 12-foot strip of concrete that will service as a combination bike path and sidewalk, said architect Dennis Williams.

Council members were in favor of the plan.

“I think it’s one of the most exciting things we’ve come across lately,” Councilman Les Cloninger said.

·  Heard a report on United Way progress from Brad Guth. Guth said that the Lincoln County Chapter of the United Way has exceeded its goal of $400,000 this year. The money goes to help 15 local health and human service agencies.

·  City Council is taking additional steps to acquire property needed for an expansion of the Marcia L. Cloninger Rail Trail.

Steve Gurley, city planning director, said he has received 18 positive responses from property owners. Three others have made no decision.

Several of the 18 requested more money than the city originally offered. Some wanted fencing or gates on their property.

Council members, frustrated by the fact that their original deadline for response of Dec. 31 had passed, decided to send another letter to property owners stating that legal action will be taken if they still fail to respond by the council’s February meeting.

“It seems to me we’re going to have to take some legal action or we’re not going to get it done,” Councilman Larry Mac Hovis said.

Council also said no more money will be offered to property owners in addition to the original appraisal, which is at fair market value.

“Let’s let them know that we mean business,” Cloninger said.

“It’s coming back to us, let’s make a decision — yes or no,” said Councilman Fred Houser.

The extension project began three years ago.

·  Council voted to take part in a petition to oppose Charter Communications’ request to be relieved of basic rate regulation in Lincolnton.

If the city did not participate, the Federal Communications Commission would allow relief for Charter, imposing no restrictions on what they can charge for service.

“It could possibly go out of the roof,” City Attorney Dan Barefoot said.

Charter could raise the fee for basic service, as well as charge different amounts for different areas of the city. It would be a disincentive for other cable companies to provide service here, and Charter could potentially become a monopoly.

The cost of the city’s participation in the appeal is $1,000, a fee Barefoot said is well worth it. Several other cities and counties will join in the appeal.

·  Council recognized Steve Peeler, director of public works and utilities, and Mark Sain, electric distribution system superintendent for their work during the ice storm.

·  Council approved resolutions to five cities that assisted Lincolnton during the storm. Copies of the resolutions will be mailed to those cities.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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