[Adopted 8-10-2015 by Ord. No. 15-41[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Art. XXV, Community Garden and Community Garden Committee, adopted 5-4-2015 by Ord. No. 15-33. This ordinance was adopted as Art. XXIV, §§ 5-126 through 5-130, but was renumbered to avoid duplicate article and section numbering.
A. 
Establishment. A permanent community garden is hereby established within the Township of Bloomfield, to be located at Pulaski Park.
B. 
Use of gardens. The Township's community gardens are available to all residents of the Township, on a first-come, first-served basis, for the purpose of growing fruits and vegetables, flowers and herbs. Each person renting a plot shall be required to enter into an agreement governing the use of the plot with the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee as well an agreement with the Township of Bloomfield pursuant to § 5-135 of this article.
C. 
Fees. No person shall be permitted to maintain a plot in a Bloomfield Township Community Garden unless they have registered with the Township Engineer for the plot, signed the required agreements and paid the applicable fee of $50. Fees are payable to the Township of Bloomfield, are nonrefundable, nontransferable and must be paid at the time of registration for the plot. No more than one plot may be rented by a household; however, a household may rent two if there are plots that are not rented after May 15 of any year. Veterans must register for a plot but will not be required to pay the annual rental fee. Resident gardeners who are assigned a plot shall not lose their plot as long as they continually renew their application before December 31 of the year. Control of the plot expires with the season on November 15, and the yearly application and fee must be completed and paid on or before December 31 of the previous rental year or the plot shall be lost and the Township shall issue the plot to the next applicant the Township has or receives.
The use of the Bloomfield Township community gardens will be subject to the following rules and regulations:
A. 
Establishment: Two permanent community gardens are hereby established within the Township of Bloomfield, one each at Pulaski Park and Milbank Park.
[Amended 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 21-48]
B. 
Season: April 1 through November 15 or as otherwise established by the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee. Cultivation and planting must be started by May l and plots must be tended through the time of fall cleanup. This means that weeds must be pulled, and ripe produce harvested. Persons renting plots are expected to spend an appropriate amount of time to maintain their plot so that it remains attractive (recommended two hours per week). The Bloomfield community gardens are working gardens powered by gardeners themselves. Gardeners are expected to participate in monthly tasks and at least one workday in addition to mandatory opening and closing days (about 12 hours between April 1 and November 15).
[Amended 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 21-48]
C. 
Parking: in designated or legal parking areas only.
D. 
Structures. Elaborate garden structures, fountains or the use of multiple decorative items are prohibited. However, stakes, tomato cages and similar gardening devices are allowed and must be removed at the end of each season.
E. 
Weeds. All waste, weeds, etc., shall be disposed of off-site except for compostable matter, which may be disposed of in areas designated by the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee. No illegal or invasive species are permitted.
F. 
Water from the watering spigots provided in the community garden should be treated as nonpotable and is for use in the garden only. Irrigation systems are prohibited. Water must be securely turned off after each use.
[Amended 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 21-48]
G. 
Fertilizers and pesticides. The use of nonorganic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers is prohibited.
H. 
Obligations of gardeners. There are shared garden tools at both community gardens. Gardeners are responsible for caring for those tools and returning them to the garden sheds once they are done using them. The primary obligation is to keep the community garden a happy, secure and enjoyable place where all participants can garden and socialize peacefully in an amicable manner. Gardeners are expected to volunteer 12 hours over the course of the season (April through November) as follows:
[Amended 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 21-48]
(1) 
Mandatory opening and closing days (four hours).
(2) 
At least one workday each season (two hours).
(3) 
At least one monthly task (six hours).
I. 
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pets and other animals are prohibited at all times.
J. 
Smoking. Smoking is prohibited at all times.
K. 
Rules of conduct. All gardeners and their visitors shall observe the rules of conduct established by the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee as well as the rules and regulations for the use of Township parks and recreation areas, and all other regulations set forth in the Township of Bloomfield Code.
L. 
Indemnification. All persons using the Bloomfield Township community garden assume any and all risks associated with the use of the community garden. Prior to use of the community garden, each person shall execute and deliver to the Township a hold harmless and indemnification agreement.
M. 
Violations. Use of the community garden is a privilege. The Township reserves the right to revoke the use of the community garden (and composting) by any person for failure to observe the rules and regulations established in this article or by the Bloomfield Township Garden Committee. Upon violation of any rule or regulation, a written notice will be issued, and a phone call made. The violator will be given a reasonable opportunity (10 calendar days) to correct the violation. If the violation does not cease or is not cured, the use of the community garden (and composting) for the remainder of the season may be revoked and the plot may be reassigned. They will have to reapply to the Community Garden Committee for the next season.
[Amended 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 21-48]
[Amended 4-23-2018 by Ord. No. 18-11]
There is hereby established a Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee, which shall consist of nine members whose terms and powers are hereinafter set forth. The Bloomfield Township community gardens shall be managed by the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee, who shall enforce the rules and regulations set forth in this article under the direction of the Township Administrator. The Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall require gardeners to sign a use agreement, which will be available at the Township Engineer's office, to supplement the rules and regulations set forth in this article, provided that the Township Administrator has approved the terms of the use agreement.
[Amended 4-23-2018 by Ord. No. 18-11]
The Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall be comprised of the following persons:
A. 
One member of the Township Council of the Township of Bloomfield appointed by the Township Council.
B. 
An Engineer of the Township of Bloomfield appointed by the Township Council.
C. 
The DPW Director of the Township of Bloomfield appointed by the Township Council.
D. 
There will be six residents of the Township appointed by the Township Council, one of whom shall serve as an alternate member.
The terms of office for members of the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall be as follows:
A. 
The members of the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall be appointed by the Township Council and shall serve for a period of three years. Any vacancy occurring in the membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term.
[Amended 4-23-2018 by Ord. No. 18-11]
B. 
The Township Engineer appointed to the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall have a term of one year.
C. 
The DPW Director appointed to the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall have a term of one year.
D. 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection D, which regarded Open Space Trust Fund Committee appointees, of the 2008 Code, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
E. 
The balance of the members of the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall be appointed by the Township Council and shall serve for a period of three calendar years, with their appointment always expiring on December 31 of the third year of appointment.
[Amended 4-23-2018 by Ord. No. 18-11]
A. 
The powers and duties of the Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall be limited to those enumerated herein. The Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Township Council of the Township of Bloomfield and make recommendations to the Council of areas in which to open additional community gardens.
B. 
The Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall also establish rules and regulations, not in conflict with the Township Code, for the use of all of the Bloomfield Township community gardens.
C. 
The Bloomfield Township Community Garden Committee shall also keep track of all plot assignments, maintain a waiting list for plots, and accept or deny applications after receipt from the Engineer's office. The Committee shall also ensure the proper maintenance and appearance of the gardens and will promote and educate residents on the benefits of gardening and community gardens.