The Kidder Township supervisors adopted a new ordinance that will fine residents and businesses that use automated alarm systems but fail to properly maintain them.

Ordinance No. 177 calls for the registration of alarm systems, which are monitored by third parties and contact emergency dispatchers in the event of an alarm.The idea is to discourage entities with malfunctioning systems from delaying repairs to the systems.If a system is malfunctioning and the township emergency responders are dispatched twice within a 360-day period the owner will receive a certified letter directing them to have the system repaired within 15 days. If the condition continues beyond the 15 days the township will bill the owner $250.The fees for reimbursing the township continue to increase up to $500 per occurrence."We are taking this action to try to eliminate false alarms," said Chairman Thomas Bradley."We don't want anyone injured in an accident rushing to a false alarm."Also in regard to the township's fire departments, Alex Blew, Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company chief, notified the supervisors that the department is undergoing a merger with the former Kidder Township Volunteer Fire Company."The trucks are on the road and insured and are using magnetic signs that say Albrightsville for now," said Blew.Blew said that the plan is to continue to use 18 as the district number for the substation.If they eliminate the use of the old district number the new call numbers for the substation officers will be a five digit call number and Blew was hoping to eliminate any confusion at the county dispatch by keeping the old numbers.