[Adopted 10-12-1999 by Ord. No. 99-15 (Ch.
176, Part 3, of the 1985 Code)]
A.
Charitable organizations, as defined in N.J.S.A. 45:17A-20,
shall be permitted to solicit contributions for charitable purposes
in the right-of-way of a road or highway maintained or under the jurisdiction
of the New Jersey Department of Transportation or the Bergen County
Board of Chosen Freeholders subject to the charitable organization
obtaining prior written approval from the governmental entity having
jurisdiction over the road or highway.
B.
In the case of any state road or highway or intersection
thereof, a written permit shall be obtained from the Department of
Transportation in accordance with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 16:40-4.1
et seq.
C.
In the case of any county road or highway or intersection
thereof, a written permit shall be obtained from the Bergen County
Board of Chosen Freeholders in accordance with rules and regulations
established by it.
D.
In the case of any municipal road or highway or intersection
thereof, a written permit shall be obtained from the Board of Commissioners
of the Village of Ridgefield Park.
E.
Solicitation shall be subject to the specific terms
and conditions of the permit granted by the state, county or municipality.
The state, county or municipal permit, as applicable, shall be in
the possession of the solicitor during the times of solicitation and
be available for inspection by local, county and state law enforcement
officers.
The following rules and regulations shall apply
to charitable organizations soliciting under the terms of this article:
A.
Charitable organizations shall solicit only for charitable
purposes.
B.
Solicitations shall be permitted only at signalized
intersections or when an existing traffic control device causes temporary
interruption in the flow of normal traffic, such as at the opening
of a movable bridge.
C.
Each person soliciting charitable contributions on
behalf of a charitable organization shall be at least 18 years old.
D.
Solicitation is encouraged to be off the traveled
way.
E.
Solicitors shall not stop traffic or impede the flow
of traffic. Traffic shall already be stopped before solicitation may
occur and shall cease when traffic is moving. The use of flagmen is
prohibited.
F.
Solicitation shall only be permitted during daylight
hours. State, county or local law enforcement officers or representatives
of the Department of Transportation may suspend solicitation operations
at any time if any condition of the permit is violated or if, in the
law enforcement officer's or the Department's sole discretion, traffic
is being impeded or delayed or the public safety is at risk.
G.
Solicitors shall not drink alcoholic beverages, use
drugs or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while soliciting.
H.
Solicitors shall not harass the public.
I.
All solicitors shall wear safety vests that are in
accordance with Department of Transportation standards.
J.
Parking of vehicles shall comply with applicable traffic
regulations.
K.
Solicitors shall not install any traffic control devices.
L.
Signs advertising the roadway solicitation are permitted,
provided that the signs are of a temporary construction and breakaway
to the extent possible. Signs shall be a maximum of 16 square feet.
(1)
Signage shall be in accordance with the temporary
signage standards contained in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control
Devices, 1988, or superseding issue.
(3)
Signs shall not be permitted in the traveled way or
in medians less than eight feet in width. All signs warning, noticing
or advertising a solicitation shall be removed immediately following
the solicitation event.
M.
The charitable organization shall be responsible for
cleaning up any debris from the right-of-way.
A.
If the charitable solicitation is proposed at the
intersection of a state and county highway, the charitable organization
must obtain written approval from both the Department of Transportation
and the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
B.
If the charitable solicitation is proposed at the
intersection of a state highway and municipal roadway, the charitable
organization must obtain written approval from both the Department
of Transportation and the Board of Commissioners of the Village of
Ridgefield Park.
C.
If the charitable solicitation is proposed at the
intersection of a county roadway and a municipal roadway, the charitable
organization must obtain written approval from both the Bergen County
Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Board of Commissioners of the
Village of Ridgefield Park.
If the charitable solicitation is proposed at
the border of Ridgefield Park and any other municipality, the charitable
organization must obtain approval for the solicitation from the adjoining
municipality.
A copy of the application form filed with the
Department of Transportation or the Bergen County Board of Chosen
Freeholders or the municipality shall be filed with the Municipal
Clerk and shall specify the location, date, duration and times of
the proposed charitable solicitation. One application form may cover
multiple dates during the same calendar year.
The municipality shall not be liable in any
civil action for damages for property damage or personal injury resulting
from a motor vehicle accident arising out of or in the course of a
charitable organization soliciting charitable donations.
