Whenever a petition is filed with the Fire Chief or Code Enforcement Officer by at least five residents of the town charging that any structure exists in violation of this chapter or whenever it appears to the Fire Chief or Code Enforcement Officer, upon inspection, that any structure exists in violation hereof, he or she shall, if his or her preliminary investigation discloses a basis for the charges, issue and cause to be served upon the owner of and parties in interest in the structure a complaint stating the charges and containing a notice that a hearing will be held before the Fire Chief or Code Enforcement Officer at a place therein fixed, not less than ten, nor more than 30, days after the serving of the complaint. The owner or any party in interest shall have the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person, or otherwise, and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint. Notice of the hearing shall also be given to at least one of the persons signing a petition relating to the structure. Any person desiring to do so may attend the hearing and give evidence relevant to the matter being heard. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the Fire Chief or Code Enforcement Officer.
(Ord. passed 11-17-2003)