Township of Harmony, NJ Vehicles and Traffic

Words and phrases. Whenever any words and phrases are used in this chapter, the meaning respectively ascribed to them in Subtitle 1 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein.

Official time standard. Whenever certain hours are named in this chapter, they shall mean either Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time as may be in current use.

§ 156-2 Authorization for closing of any street.

The New Jersey State Police are hereby authorized to provide by regulation for the closing of any street or portion thereof to motor vehicle traffic on any day or days whenever he finds that such closing is necessary for the preservation of the public safety, health or welfare.

Any regulations promulgated by the New Jersey State Police and in accordance with Subsection A above shall provide for the posting of proper warning signs of such closing on any street or portion thereof during the time the same is closed in pursuance thereof.

Any violation of this regulation promulgated hereunder shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50.

Any regulation adopted that mandates the closing of any street for a period greater than 48 consecutive hours shall not become effective unless and until it has been submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

§ 156-3 Tow-away.

Any vehicle parked in violation of this chapter shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic, and any peace officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall bear the reasonable costs of removal and storage, which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle.

§ 156-4 Violations and penalties.

Unless another penalty is expressly provided by New Jersey Statute, every person convicted of a violation of a provision of this chapter or any supplement thereto shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $50 or imprisonment for term not exceeding 15 days, or both.

§ 156-5 Effect of chapter.

If any part or parts of this chapter are, for any reason, held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.

§ 156-6 Repealer.

All former traffic ordinances of the municipality are hereby repealed, and all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with or inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed, except that this repeal shall not affect or prevent the prosecution or punishment of any person for any act done or committed in violation of any ordinance hereby repealed prior to the taking effect of this chapter.

§ 156-7 Traffic controls for street and highway construction and maintenance operations for municipal roads.

Traffic controls for street and highway construction and maintenance operations; adoption of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

(1)

The Township Committee finds and declares that problems of traffic control occur when traffic must be moved through or around street construction, maintenance operations and utility work, above or below the ground which requires blocking the street and obstructing the normal flow of traffic and that such obstructions are or can become dangerous when not properly controlled. In order to better promote the public health, safety, peace and welfare, it is necessary to establish controls and regulations directed to the safe and expeditious movement of traffic through and around construction and maintenance zones and to provide safety for the work forces performing these operations.

(2)

The Township of Harmony in the County of Warren, State of New Jersey, does hereby adopt the current Manual on Uniform Control Devices for Streets and Highways hereafter known as the "MUTCD," except as hereby supplemented and amended, as it controls and regulates whenever construction, maintenance operations or utility work obstructs the normal flow of traffic. Any person, contractor or utility that fails to comply with the provisions of the MUTCD while performing such work is in violation of this section.

Preconstruction meeting. It shall be the responsibility of the person, contractor, or in the case of a public utility as required under the public utility agreement, section 16:25-9.2, wishing to conduct work on, under or above the street to contact the Police Department of the Township in order to arrange a preconstruction meeting and submit plans for the safe movement of traffic during such period of construction or work. Any person, contractor or utility who fails to comply with this section prior to the start of such work, or whose plans are not approved by the Police Department of the Township, is in violation of this section.

Emergency contact telephone numbers. The person, contractor or utility shall provide at least two emergency contact telephone numbers to be called in case of emergency problems at the construction or maintenance site prior to the start of any work. If, for any reason, emergency contact must be made, or if the emergency contact person does not respond to a call from the New Jersey State Police Department to correct such hazardous condition, the Township may respond to correct the hazardous condition(s). The reasonable fees for such emergency services by the Township of Harmony shall be charged to the person, contractor, or utility responsible for the condition.

Hours. There shall be no construction, maintenance, operations, or utility work on any roadway in the Township before the hour of 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. The officer in charge of the New Jersey State Police may adjust this time limit to permit work prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. If the officer in charge determines that the construction or maintenance operations prior to 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. would substantially delay traffic or cause a safety or health hazard, the work shall then be permitted only between 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.

Road closing. Road closing and/or traffic detours shall not be permitted unless approved by the New Jersey State Police Department.

Traffic directors. Traffic directors shall be posted at all construction or maintenance sites when determined by the New Jersey State Police Department that same is necessary to provide for the safe and expeditious movement of traffic.

Stop work. The New Jersey State Police Department shall have the authority to stop work, including the removal of equipment and vehicles, stored material within the street right-of-way, backfilling of open excavations and/or related work, in order to abate any nuisance and/or safety hazard or for any violation of this section.

Site preparation. It is to be expressly understood that no materials, vehicles or equipment are to be placed in the roadway or sidewalk or until all construction, signs, light devices and pavement markings are installed.

Violations and penalties.

(1)

Any person, contractor or utility who commits a violation of this section shall, upon conviction thereof for a first offense, pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 and/or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days and for a second offense, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not less than $250 and/or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days.

(2)

A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which violation occurs or continues.

§ 156-8 Parking regulations not exclusive.

The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any person of the duty to observe other, more restrictive provisions prohibiting or limiting the stopping or standing or parking of vehicles as set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:4-138, any other New Jersey Statute or as hereinafter provided.

§ 156-9 Parking prohibited during state of emergency.

Upon the declaration of an emergency, there shall be no parking upon the streets where temporary "EMERGENCY NO PARKING" signs are displayed. The New Jersey State Police are authorized to declare an emergency and to direct the posting of "EMERGENCY NO PARKING" signs when weather conditions, accidents, road construction, fire or public celebrations dictate or require avoidance of hazards or other conditions which interfere with the free flow of traffic. Notification that "EMERGENCY NO PARKING" signs are being or will be posted shall be given to the operator or owner of any vehicle which has been parked prior to the posting of the signs.

The effectiveness of this section is contingent upon the signs being erected as required by law.

§ 156-10 Temporary parking prohibition for snowplowing and removal.

Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the streets and highways, an emergency shall exist and no vehicle shall be parked on the streets or highways or portions thereof indicated. The above parking prohibitions shall remain in effect after the snow has ceased until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic and any police officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle.

	Name of Street	Side	Location
	(Reserved)

§ 156-11 Stopping or standing prohibited during certain hours on certain streets.

No person shall stop or stand a vehicle between the hours specified on any day upon any of the streets or parts of streets described:

Name of Street	Side	Hours	Location
Merrill Creek Road [Added 9-5-2017 by Ord. No. 17-11]	Both	At all times	Entire length

§ 156-12 Parking time limited on certain streets.

No person shall park a vehicle for longer than the time limit between the hours listed on any day (except Sundays and public holidays) upon any of the streets or parts of streets described:

Name of Street	Side	Limit	Hours	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-13 Parking prohibited for street cleaning.

No person shall cause or permit to be parked any motor vehicle upon any street between the specified hours and days described:

Name of Street	Side	Hours/ Days	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-14 Parking prohibited at all times on certain streets.

No person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any streets or parts thereof described:

Name of Street	Side	Location
Alpha Street	Both	Entire length
Brainards Road	Both	From Harmony Station Road to a point 2,250 feet southeast thereof
Front Street	Both	Entire length
Harmony Station Road	Both	From Brainard's Road to a point 2,600 feet southwest thereof
Pine Street	Both	Entire length
Railroad Avenue	Both	Entire length
Third Street [Added 10-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-6]	Both	From Broad Street to Alpha Street
Third Street [Added 10-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-6]	East	From a point 150 feet from the end of the roadway to the end of the roadway
Third Street [Added 10-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-6]	West	From Alpha Street to a point 150 feet from the end of the roadway

§ 156-15 Parking prohibited during certain hours on certain streets.

No person shall park a vehicle between the hours specified any day (except Sundays and public holidays) upon any of the streets or parts of streets described:

Name of Street	Side	Hours	Location
Merrill Creek Road	Both	9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.	Certain portions
Reservoir Road	Both	9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.	Certain portions

§ 156-16 Parking of certain trucks, vehicles and trailers prohibited.

No person shall park any truck or vehicle over 10 tons gross vehicle weight (GVW), a school bus, any other type of bus, recreational vehicle, camper, boat or trailer between the hours specified upon any of the streets or parts of streets described:

Name of Street	Side	Hours	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-17 Residential permit parking.

No person shall park a vehicle on streets or parts of streets as described within the following sections unless an appropriate and current parking permit as issued by the Township of Harmony is displayed on said vehicle for those streets or parts of streets as described or listed within the following sections.

Street	Side	Hours	Days	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-18 Angle parking.

The following streets or parts of streets are hereby established as angle parking at an angle so indicated below:

Name of Street	Side	Angle	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-19 Through streets.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the streets or parts of streets described are hereby designated as through streets. Stop signs shall be installed on the near-right side of each street intersecting the through street except where yield signs are provided for in the designation.

Name of Street	Limits
Harmony Station Road	Between Brainard's Road and River Road
Marble Hill Road	Between Brainard's Road and the Lopatcong Township boundary

§ 156-20 Stop intersections.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections described are hereby designated as stop intersections. Stop signs shall be installed as provided therein.

Intersection	Stop Sign(s) On:
Garrison Road and Harmony Station Road	Garrison Road
Ridge Road and Roxburg Hill Road	Ridge Road

§ 156-21 Multi-way stop intersections.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections herein described are designated as multi-way stop intersections. Stop signs shall be installed as provided herein.

Intersection	Stop Signs On:
Reservoir Visitors Center and boat ramp entrance roads	Creek Reservoir Visitors Center

§ 156-22 Yield intersections.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-140, the intersections described are hereby designated as yield intersections. Yield signs shall be installed as provided therein.

Intersection	Yield Sign(s) On:
(Reserved)

§ 156-23 One-way streets.

The following described streets or parts of streets are hereby designated as one-way streets in the direction indicated. Parking on these streets will be permitted on the sides indicated below.

Name of Street	Direction	Limits	Parking Permitted
(Reserved)

§ 156-24 Routes for trucks over ____ tons.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:67-16.1, the streets or parts of streets as described are hereby designated as routes for vehicles over ____ tons. All trucks having a total combined gross vehicle weight (GVW) of vehicle plus load in excess of ____ tons shall be excluded from all municipal streets, except from those municipal streets listed, state highways and county roadways, which form a part of the truck route system. Vehicles will be permitted on all streets for the purpose of the pickup and delivery of materials.

Name of Street	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-25 Vehicles over designated weight excluded from certain streets.

Vehicles over the gross vehicle weight (GVW) are hereby excluded from the streets or parts of streets described except for the pickup and delivery of materials on such streets:

Name of Street	Tons	Location
Garrison Road	4	From Belvidere Road to Brainards Road
Harmony Station Road	4	From Belvidere Road to River Road
Marble Hill Road	4	From Brainards Road west to the boundary line with Lopatcong Township
Reeder Road	3	Entire length, from County Route 519 to County Route 622
River Road	4	From Garrison Road to Hutchinson Road

§ 156-26 Turn prohibitions.

No person shall turn at the below-described location as indicated:

Intersection	Turn Prohibited	Movement Prohibited
(Reserved)

§ 156-27 Right turn only.

No person shall make a turn at the below-listed location other than a right-turning movement:

Intersection	Movement Permitted
(Reserved)

§ 156-28 No turn on red.

No person shall make a right turn on the red signal at any location listed:

Intersection	Movement Prohibited
(Reserved)

§ 156-29 Mid-block crosswalks.

The following locations are hereby established as mid-block crosswalks:

Name of Street	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-30 Lane use reservations.

The lane locations described are designated as lane use reservations and traffic shall move as indicated:

Intersection or Location	Movement
(Reserved)

§ 156-31 Exclusive lane use.

The lane locations described are hereby designated as exclusive lanes for use by certain vehicles as indicated:

Name of Street	Type of Vehicle	Direction	Limits
(Reserved)

§ 156-32 Bicycle routes/lanes.

The lane locations described are hereby designated as bicycle lanes. Bicycle lanes shall be a minimum of four feet in width, pursuant to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

Name of Street	Side	Lane Width	Limits
(Reserved)

§ 156-33 Speed limits.

The speed limits for both directions of traffic along the streets or parts thereof described below and made a part of this chapter are hereby established at the rate of speed indicated.

Regulatory and warning signs shall be erected and maintained to affect the designated speed limits.

Name of Street	Speed Limit (mph)	Limits	Approval Date
Buttonwood Lane	30	Entire length	6/10/88
Esposito Road	30	Entire length	6/10/88
Fiddler Elbow Road	35	Entire length	2/28/86
Fox Farm Road (Zone 1)	35	From southerly Harmony Township-Lopatcong Township line to 5,280 feet north of the southerly Harmony Township-Lopatcong Township line	5/2/90
Fox Farm Road (Zone 2)	50	From 5,280 feet north of the southerly Harmony Township-Lopatcong Township line to Richline Road	5/2/90
Harmony Station Road	40	Entire length	6/10/88
Merrill Creek Road [Added 10-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-6]	25	Entire length	10/7/14
Wester/Decker Road	25	From Fox Farm Road to Harmony - Brass Castle Road (County Road 647)	8/22/90

§ 156-34 No-passing zones.

No-passing zones are hereby established and shall be maintained upon the following described streets or parts thereof:

Name of Street	Sketch #:	Sketch Date	Approval Date
(Reserved)

§ 156-35 Bus stops.

The locations described are hereby designated as bus stops. No vehicle other than an omnibus, picking up or discharging passengers, shall be permitted to occupy said location between the hours indicated.

Name of Street	Hours
(Reserved)

§ 156-36 Articulated bus stops.

The locations described are hereby designated as articulated bus stops. No vehicle other than an omnibus, picking up or discharging passengers, shall be permitted to occupy said location between the hours indicated.

Name of Street	Hours
(Reserved)

§ 156-37 Loading zones.

The locations described are hereby designated as loading zones. No person shall park a vehicle in said location during the times indicated other than for the loading or unloading of goods and materials. (Note: Minimum length for all loading zones is 50 feet. No loading zone may be established in any area where it is prohibited to stand or park by statute N.J.S.A. 39:4-138.)

Name of Street	Time	Side	Location
(Reserved)

§ 156-38 Taxi stands.

The locations described are hereby designated as taxi stands. No vehicle other than a taxi shall be permitted to occupy said locations during the times indicated.

Street	Location	Hours
(Reserved)

§ 156-39 Handicapped parking.

Handicapped parking on streets. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.5, the following street locations are designated as handicapped parking spaces. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards or plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or a temporary placard issued by the New Jersey State Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.

	Street	Location
	(Reserved)

Handicapped parking on streets for private residences. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-197.6, the following on-street locations are designated as handicapped parking spaces in front of private residences occupied by handicapped persons. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards or plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or a temporary placard issued by the New Jersey State Police. No other person shall be permitted in these spaces.

	Street	Permit Number	Location
	Broad Street [Added 10-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-6]	TBD on signage	1047 Broad Street

Handicapped parking in municipal parking lots and Board of Education property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-1 and 39:4-197, the following off-street parking yards and Board of Education property are designated as handicapped parking areas. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or a temporary placard issued by the New Jersey State Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these areas.

	Property	Number of Spaces	Location
	(Reserved)

Handicapped parking on private property open to the public and to which the public is invited (retail business). In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.46, the following off-street parking yards are designated as handicapped parking areas. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or a temporary placard issued by the New Jersey State Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.

	Property	Number of Spaces	Location
	(Reserved)

Handicapped parking on all other private property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-1, the following off-street parking locations are designated as handicapped parking. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or a temporary placard issued by the New Jersey State Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.

	Property	Number of Spaces	Location
	(Reserved)

Handicapped parking on municipal parks. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-4, the following off-street parking locations are designated as handicapped parking. Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or a temporary placard issued by the New Jersey State Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.

	Property	Number of Spaces	Location
	(Reserved)

Handicapped parking on postal properties. In accordance with 40 U.S.C. 318B and a written request from the Postmaster, the off-street locations are hereby designated as handicapped parking, pursuant to P.L. 1989, c. 201, § 1, effective June 1, 1990.[1] Such spaces are for use by persons who have been issued special identification cards, plates or placards by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or a temporary placard issued by the New Jersey State Police. No other person shall be permitted to park in these spaces.

	Property	Number of Spaces	Location
	(Reserved)

[1]

Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 39:4-138 et seq.

Signs, pavement markings, installation and maintenance. The owners of the premises referred to §§ 156-39C, 156-39D and 156-39G shall provide and install signs and pavement markings for each parking space reserved for the use of handicapped persons, which signs and markings shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. The cost of procurement and installation of the signs and pavement markings shall be the responsibility of the owner of said property. The owner shall, subsequent to initial procurement and installation, maintain such signs and pavement markings in good condition at no cost or expense to the Township of Harmony. The owner shall be responsible for the repair and restoration of same.

§ 156-40 Control for movement and parking of traffic on public and private property.

Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on municipal property and Board of Education property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-197, the following municipal and Board of Education property shall have the movement of traffic controlled by the type of regulation indicated. No person shall operate or park a vehicle in violation of the regulations indicated:

	Property	Regulation
	(Reserved)

Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on private property open to the public and to which the public is invited (retail business).

(1)

In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.46, for the following private property that is open to the public and to which the public is invited, the movement of traffic shall be controlled by the regulations listed herein. No person shall operate or park a vehicle in violation of the following regulations:

	Property	Regulation
	(Reserved)

(2)

The owners of the premises referred to in this section shall provide and install signs and pavement markings as required, which signage and markings shall be in accordance with the current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). The cost of signs and installations shall be the responsibility of the owner of said property. The owner shall, subsequent to the initial procurement and installation, maintain such signs and pavement markings in good condition at no cost or expense to the Township of Harmony.

(3)

The penalty for a violation and conviction of this section shall be not less than $_______ nor more than $________ and/or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed _____ days, or by a period of community service not to exceed _____ days.

Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on all other private property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-1, the regulations of Subtitle 1, Title 39, of the Revised Statutes are hereby made applicable to the properties listed below:

	Property
	(Reserved)

Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on municipal park property. In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:5A-4, the regulations of Subtitle 1, Title 39, of the Revised Statutes are hereby made applicable to the properties listed below:

	Property	Regulation
	(Reserved)

Regulation for the movement and the parking of traffic on United States Post Office property. In accordance with 40 U.S.C. 318B and a written request from the Postmaster, the following various traffic regulations are hereby made applicable to the properties listed below as follows. No person shall operate or park a vehicle in violation of the regulations listed below:

	Property	Regulation
	(Reserved)

Signs, pavement markings, installation and maintenance. The owners of the premises referred to in Subsections B and E shall provide and install signs and pavement markings as required, which signage and markings shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. The cost for the procurement and installation of signs and pavement markings shall be the responsibility of the owner of said property. The owner shall, subsequent to initial procurement and installation, maintain such signs and pavement markings in good condition at no cost or expense to the Township of Harmony. The owner shall be responsible for the repair and restoration or replacement of same.

§ 156-41 Engine braking prohibited.

[Added 4-4-2017 by Ord. No. 17-4]

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ENGINE BRAKING: The use or operation of any mechanical exhaust device designed to aid in the braking, decompression or deceleration of any motor vehicle which results in excessive, loud, unusual, explosive noise from such vehicle.

Specific prohibitions.

(1)

It shall be unlawful for the operator of any motor vehicle to use or operate or cause to be used or operated, at any time on any road within the Township, any mechanical exhaust or decompression system which results in the practice of engine braking.

Exceptions.

(1)

The specific prohibition set forth in § 156 shall not apply to engine braking where necessary for the protection of persons and/or property which cannot reasonably be avoided by the application of an alternative braking system.

Signage.

(1)

The Township is authorized to post signs at reasonable locations within the Township indicating the prohibition of engine braking unless specifically informed not to on County or State roadways.

Violations and penalties.

(1)

Unless another penalty is expressly provided by New Jersey statute, any person convicted of a violation of this article shall be punished for a first conviction thereof by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 10 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment; for a second such conviction, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $200 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 20 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and upon the third or any subsequent conviction, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.