[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of River Edge 11-6-2009 by Ord. No. 1678. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
For purposes of this chapter, a "block party" is defined as a social gathering, of 150 or fewer persons, located on Borough streets and consisting of River Edge residents and their guests. Where a social gathering consists of more than 150 persons or is located on Howland Avenue, Continental Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Elm Avenue, Midland Avenue, Kinderkamack Road or Bogert Road from Route 4 to Continental Avenue, the social gathering will be subject to the chapter requirements for special events (Chapter 305).
A block party may not be held on any public property, street
or right-of-way without there first being issued a permit for same.
An application for a permit for a block party must be submitted
to the Borough Clerk at least 45 days prior to the proposed block
party. The application must include the proposed date and time of
the event, the specific proposed location of the event and an attendance
projection for the event.
The Borough Clerk, in consultation with the Police Chief or
his or her designee, shall review the application and make a public
safety assessment. Upon a finding that the planned block party will
not unreasonably interfere with the public use of the streets and
sidewalks and private properties and that the block party can be conducted
in a safe manner, the Borough Clerk may issue a permit for the block
party. The permit may include such conditions as deemed necessary
by the Chief of Police in furtherance of public safety and welfare.
The permit may also include a "rain date" in the event inclement weather
causes a postponement of the initially scheduled date.
For the purpose of public safety and welfare, the Chief of Police
may order the temporary closing of streets during a block party and
the Chief of Police shall determine the exact parameters of any block
party. The temporary closing of any street under this chapter shall
prohibit all parking and vehicular traffic within the boundaries set
by the Chief of Police, but shall not unreasonably prevent persons
from otherwise entering and leaving private property. The Chief of
Police, in consideration of public health and safety and other considerations,
shall have the sole discretion to determine the parameters of street
closings for the conduct of a block party. Barricades and signs, as
deemed necessary by the Chief of Police, shall be provided by the
Borough and erected by the Police Department.
Not less than 15 days before the block party, the permit holder
must notify, in writing, all persons whose property lies within the
parameters of the party, as established by the Chief of Police. The
notification shall include the date and time of the party, as well
as the date and time of any "rain date."
The Chief of Police, or his or her designee, shall have the
authority to terminate a block party where he or she determines that
such termination is in the interest of public safety and welfare or
where the permit holder has violated any permit condition.
The area must be adequately cleaned and all streets open to
traffic at the conclusion of the block party.
No person shall consume alcoholic beverages or possess an open container of alcoholic beverage on any public or quasi-public property without the express consent of the Mayor and Council in accordance with § 114-18A.
Any person, firm or corporation found guilty in the Municipal
Court of the Borough of River Edge of a violation of any term of this
chapter shall be subject to a fine of not more than $50 in the discretion
of the Municipal Court Judge.
