[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Bridgewater 2-27-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01; amended in its entirety 4-5-2021 by Ord. No. 21-06. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a tobacco- and cannabis-free
environment for all outdoor events at the event site located on outdoor
municipal property.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
All parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing
or not, the seeds thereof, and every compound, manufacture, salt,
derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds.
Any usable cannabis, cannabis product, cannabis extract,
and any other cannabis resin not used for cultivation.
An electronic device that converts nicotine liquid into water
vapor, the three main parts of the e-cigarette being a battery, atomizer
and cartridge.
The entire physical area in which an event is being staged
on outdoor municipal property (as defined below) and over which Bridgewater
Township has control or responsibility. The event site includes all
open and semi-open areas, including, but not limited to, vendor or
exhibit booths, restrooms, performance stages, sports and other recreational
areas, seating or spectator areas or facilities and pedestrian walkways
or pathways.
Any outdoor activity that is sponsored, operated, or authorized
under permit, either totally or in part, by Bridgewater Township on
an event site located on outdoor municipal property (as those terms
are defined below) and over which it has control or responsibility.
This definition includes activities related to the scheduled event
itself as well as event setup and takedown.
All public parks, playgrounds, ballfields or other outdoor
property publicly owned or leased by the Township of Bridgewater upon
which the public is invited or upon which the public is permitted
and where individuals gather for events, including all areas adjacent
to such facilities, including, but not limited to, any parking areas.
Any substance containing tobacco leaf, including, but not
limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, hookah tobacco, snuff,
chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco or any other preparation of tobacco.
A.
Bridgewater Township wants to provide everyone who attends or works
at such an outdoor event with a healthy and safe environment. The
Township Council has declared that tobacco and cannabis use are counterintuitive
to this goal.
B.
In order to safeguard the health, safety and general welfare of everyone
present at an event, Bridgewater Township adopts the following policy
and procedure.
C.
Tobacco and cannabis use prohibited at event. Bridgewater Township
will not allow tobacco or cannabis to be used during an event and
on the event site. This policy applies at all times during the event
and to everyone, including:
(1)
All Bridgewater Township board members, officers, employees, volunteers
and agents;
(2)
Event exhibitors and their employees, volunteers or agents;
(3)
Independent contractors working at the event site;
(4)
Event site staff and employees;
(5)
Event performers, participants or contributors;
(6)
All event attendees.
D.
Bridgewater Township will permit tobacco use during an event only
in the designated parking lots associated with the event or within
registered motor vehicles. All other areas within the event site shall
be tobacco-free. All areas shall remain free of cannabis. This includes,
but is not limited to: smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing cannabis,
or otherwise consuming cannabis items.
Bridgewater Township will communicate its tobacco- and cannabis-free
event policy as widely as possible through media releases, website
announcements, public service announcements, printed reminders, event
materials and instructions, permit applications and all other forms
of communication.
Bridgewater Township will make sure that numerous easy-to-read
posters or signs are posted prominently at the event (including at
entrances, exits, and other appropriate areas) to inform all attendees
of the policy. The signs will indicate that tobacco use electronic
cigarettes (e-cigarettes), cannabis, and cannabis items are not permitted
on the event site. Designated tobacco use areas as noted in parking
lots shall be posted to indicate authorization as appropriate.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be
liable for a fine not exceeding $200 and/or imprisonment of up to
90 days in the county jail and/or up to 90 days of community service.
A.
This tobacco- and cannabis-free event policy is in addition to any
federal, state or local law that restricts or otherwise regulates
the use of tobacco or cannabis.
