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Politics & Government

Sprinkles on Top: County Council to Decide on Delay

The Harford County Council may pass a bill that would delay a sprinkler requirement for single-family homes and duplexes until 2012.

Harford County residents and developers may have an extra year to install code-enforced sprinkler systems in new homes. 

The Harford County Council will vote tonight on a bill that would delay enforcement of a state code, which requires new single-family homes and duplexes to install sprinkler systems. If passed, Harford County residents and developers will have until Jan. 1, 2012 to comply. 

Councilman Richard Slutzky, however, said he plans to propose an amendment after tonight's public hearing that would allow residents to decide if they want to install a sprinkler system. His amendment would not affect the possible one-year delay. 

"I don't believe that we should be forcing citizens into the extra expense and responsibilities of a sprinkler system," Slutzky said. "The cost is not determined and may range from $3,000 to $8,000 [per] system." 

Director of the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits Richard Lynch said there is more to the bill than just the sprinklers.

"Although what seems to be the most controversial issue without a doubt is the sprinkling itself, there are certainly other issues that come into play," Lynch said. "Tonight's bill will in fact adopt the 2009 [International] Building Code as our local law. ... This will adopt it locally and this will also defer the requirement for sprinkling in residential structures until January first, 2012"

Slutzky said that this is a chance for the council to prove that it's listening.

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"We've had a lip service particularly in the last election about big government deciding what people need to be responsible for," Slutzky said. "Is this another example of the government trying to legislate responsibility in citizens?"

Sprinklers are already required for multi-family properties such as apartments and condominiums. As of Jan. 1, Lynch said, single-family development proposals are required to install sprinkler systems.

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The bill is being presented as an "emergency act," meaning that if five or more of the seven council members vote in its favor, County Executive David Craig can sign it into law Wednesday. But if only four approve—still a majority—the bill must withstand the normal 60-day wait period to take effect.

Havre de Grace approved a similar sprinkler requirement four years ago, and City Councilman Fred Cullum believes the county should do the same.

"It's a life safety issue. I think all the support we can show to have them put that requirement in would be worthwhile," Cullum said at a recent City Council meeting.

Tuesday's meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Board of Education building due to  at 212 S. Bond St., as . The public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Havre de Grace Patch Editor Sean Welsh also contributed to this story.

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