§ 29. Fire department and fire codes

(a)

The town council shall provide by ordinance for the establishment and maintenance of a fire department, either voluntary or paid, for said town and for this purpose may acquire property and equipment to be paid for out of the revenues of said town or by municipal bonds properly voted and validated as is now prescribed by law. They may provide by ordinance such rules and regulations as they deem necessary for the government and control of the fire department, which ordinances shall provide for officers for the department and prescribe their duties, authority, terms of office, manner of election and compensation, if any.

(b)

The town council may establish fire limits and prescribe by ordinance such rules and regulations as the council shall see fit for the regulation of buildings erected within the town or for the repair or maintenance of buildings. The governing authority of the town may adopt such national or regional standard codes as it shall deem necessary, prescribe the materials to be used and the manner of erecting, repairing or maintaining buildings. The council shall have power to compel changes in construction of arrangement or may compel the removal of buildings or of fixtures therein when, in its judgment, the same are dangerous or likely to be so or are in violation of the ordinances of the town. The council may compel the owner or occupant of the premises to pay the expenses of such change or removal, which expenses shall be collected by execution in the same manner as municipal taxes.