State hears PAV sprinkler appeal; Club resisting new regulations.

Byline: Karen Nugent

CLINTON - The state Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board is expected to give a written decision in a month or so on whether the Polish American Veterans Club will be required to install a sprinkler system.

Jennifer L. Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Department of Fire Services, said yesterday the club's appeal was heard by the appeals board Tuesday at the Fire Services headquarters in Stow.

The club appealed an order to install a sprinkler system, and a hearing before the sprinkler board had been pending for months.

Fire Chief Richard J. Hart had been pushing for a quick determination by the board and threatened to put an "imminent peril" description on the club, which would have required it to install sprinklers within six months and have plans ready within 60 days. At Tuesday's hearing, he agreed to hold off on that action because the sprinkler board decided to hear the original appeal, Ms. Mieth said.

"I'm somewhat optimistic," Chief Hart said yesterday, adding that enough information was presented to the board, especially on capacity limits, to show that a sprinkler system is required.

William E. O'Neil, a Clinton lawyer representing the PAV, presented evidence on the club's maximum capacity set by interim Building Inspector Thomas F.J. Dillon. Mr. O'Neil told the board a limited number of small events are held at the PAV Club, including Boy Scout meetings.

The hearing capped about two years of dispute involving club directors, Chief Hart, the selectmen, and two building inspectors.

At issue was the chief's initial order to install a costly sprinkler system in the 60-year-old social club at 292 Green St., under a state law that stemmed from the 2003 Station nightclub fire in Warwick, R.I. More than 100 people perished in that blaze.

Chief Hart, who yesterday described the PAV building as "the worst place in town - if not the state," has repeatedly listed safety problems at the club, including a lack of working fire alarms, carpeting that isn't fire-proof, poorly marked exits, and flammable materials in a hallway.

"The club in Rhode Island had an alarm that went off 14 seconds after the fire started. At the PAV, the alarm has no sound. They'd have to yell and scream to be heard over the band or the DJ," Chief Hart said yesterday.

Club directors and members have maintained that activities and functions at the club have been cut back enormously since the sprinkler order was issued. The only event scheduled by the club is a Feb. 4 Super Bowl party, which will require a firefighter detail.

The club includes a small bar on one side of the building, a function hall on the other side, and an apartment on the second floor.

While Chief Hart acknowledged that club activities have been scaled back, he said there's nothing stopping the members from starting up again.

Last month, the selectmen considered not renewing the club's annual liquor license because of fire and building code concerns, but decided to issue a 60-day license to allow time for the hearing.