Governor vetoes HB 109

Gov. John Lynch on Wednesday (June 15, 2011) vetoed the legislation that basically makes local sprinkler system laws for family residences null and void.

HB 109 prohibits municipalities from enforcing their current sprinkler ordinances. It also prohibits local planning boards from requiring the installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system in proposed one or two-family residences as a condition of approval for a local permits.

"I believe that the decision of whether or not to require fire sprinklers for new or renovated residential development should remain a local one," Lynch said in his veto message.

"The State should not dictate a required course of action. It is obviously the local community that is impacted from new residential development both in terms of land use and in terms of bearing the costs of providing increased fire protection services. This legislation will remove local control over an important issue."

The governor recognized concerns expressed by the state Fire Marshal and local fire chiefs about the ability of local officials to make the determination about the need for sprinklers.