[Adopted 9-19-2006 by Ord. No. 2369-06]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
All organized public gatherings, except:
[Amended 11-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2530-07]
Neighborhood block parties, which are governed
by Ord. No. 2370-06;[1]
Filming, which is governed by Chapter 125 of the Code of the Township of Maplewood;
Unattended outdoor displays, which are governed
by Ord. No. 2376-06;[2]
Funeral processions by a licensed mortuary;
and
Demonstrations, protests, picketing or rallies
(free-speech activity) that do not involve the use of vehicles, animals,
fireworks, pyrotechnics, structures or equipment (other than sound
equipment), provided that no fee or donation is charged or required
as a condition of participation in or attendance at such free-speech
activity, and further provided that the Township Police Administration
is notified at least two hours in advance of the commencement of the
free-speech activity.
A gathering of local neighborhood residents held without
charge and intended to be attended by local neighborhood residents
held not more than one time per year where the participants contribute
food and beverages and/or pay a small fee to cover the costs of same,
and which is held to foster neighborhood well being and comradery.
Any and every public street, public building, highway, sidewalk,
square, public park or playground or any other public place within
the Township of Maplewood ("the Township") which is within the jurisdiction
and control of the Township.
A.
No person or organization shall conduct an event on
Township property without first having obtained a permit from the
office of the Township Clerk, which permit shall set forth the approved
location of such event and the approved duration of such event by
specific reference to a date or dates, including set-up and break-down.
Said permit must be readily available for inspection by Township officials
at all times at the site of the event.
B.
All permits shall be applied for and obtained from
the office of the Township Clerk during normal business hours. Applications
for such permits shall be on an approved form, a copy of which is
attached,[1] and be accompanied by a permit fee in the amount established
by this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: The application form is on
file in the Township Clerk's office.
C.
A permit shall be valid to conduct events for the
period of time specified in the permit.
D.
There can be no change in the approved dates and times
once a permit has been issued.
A.
No permit shall be issued by the Township Clerk unless
applied for at least 30 days prior to the scheduled date of the event;
provided, however, that the Township Clerk may waive the thirty-day
period if, in his/her judgment, the applicant has obtained all relevant
approvals.
B.
No permit shall be issued unless the applicant has
provided the Township Clerk with satisfactory proof of the following:
(1)
Proof of insurance coverage for bodily injury and
property damage in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence,
together with a certificate of insurance naming the Township as an
additional insured and containing a provision giving the Township
30 days' notice prior to cancellation.
(2)
The hiring of an off-duty Maplewood police officer
as determined by the Township Police Chief.
C.
The Township Clerk may refuse to issue a permit whenever
he/she determines, on the basis of objective facts and after review
of the application and reports from the Police Department, Fire Department,
Building Department, Public Works Department, Health Department, Recreation
Department and other Township agencies involved, that the event, the
location and/or time set forth in the application would violate any
law or ordinance, unreasonably interfere with use and enjoyment of
neighboring properties, unreasonably impede the free flow of vehicular
or pedestrian traffic or otherwise adversely affect the public's health,
safety or welfare.
D.
In addition to any other fees or costs mentioned in
this article and other Township ordinances, the applicant shall reimburse
the Township for any out-of-pocket expenses, including overtime pay,
incurred in connection with the event.
E.
Copies of the approved permit shall be sent to the
Township Committee, Police Department, Fire Department, Building Department,
Public Works Department, Health Department and Recreation Department.
F.
The permittee shall take all steps to minimize interference
with the free passage of pedestrians and traffic over Township property
and to comply with all lawful directions issued by the Maplewood Police
Department and Maplewood Fire Department.
G.
The permittee shall conduct the event in such a manner
as to minimize the inconvenience to neighboring property owners.
Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Township
Clerk in denying or revoking a permit may appeal said decision to
the Township Administrator.
Each application for an event permit shall be
accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $25.
A.
Any person or organization violating this article
or the rules and regulations promugated thereby, or the terms of the
permit, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
$1,250 per day. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each
day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
B.
Additionally, any person or organization violating
this article may be prohibited from securing an event permit in the
future.