Tag: Northeast Security Solutions
Massachusetts city fights to control fire alarm monitoring
May 29, 2013Tess Nacelewicz
LOWELL, Mass.—Massachusetts' highest court ruled last year that municipalities can't require businesses to install just one type of fire alarm system when the state building code allows for four choices. But the city of Lowell contends that decision doesn't apply to it.This is the latest development in the fight against municipalities monopolizing fire alarm monitoring, which also is occurring in Illinois. But Lowell is going to be on the losing end of the battle, an industry spokesman predicted...
Mass. city may have to pay for limiting fire alarm options
October 1, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
LOWELL, Mass.—This city may end up paying rebates to property owners after it required them to buy fire alarm boxes from just one vendor, preventing them from purchasing the boxes more cheaply from other sources, according to newspaper reports.Lowell is trying to make amends after the state Inspector General's Office determined last year that the city bypassed bidding laws in procuring a new fire alarm system and forcing building owners to buy radio boxes from just one company, the Lowell Sun...
Industry wins court case where municipality limited fire alarm business
May 9, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—After a three-year legal battle, the industry emerged victorious in a case in which the city of Springfield was mandating that commercial and other buildings have a municipally-connected fire alarm system that uses a radio box instead of other types of systems allowed by the state's building code.The industry, which claimed the city ordinance restricted free trade and resulted in a municipality using tax dollars to compete with private companies, took the case to court,...