[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Plainsboro 7-29-1980 by Ord. No. 0-80-13; amended in its entirety 11-10-2009 by Ord. No.
0-09-18. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide within the public
parks in and of the Township of Plainsboro the minimum of regulations
to preserve and protect Township parks for the safe and full enjoyment
of all residents of the Township.
A.
Waiver.
Upon application, the Township Administrator may waive rules, regulations
or sections of this chapter when such waiver would be in the best
interests of the public.
B.
Additional
regulations and rules. The Township Administrator or his/her designee
may make rules and regulations for the use of parks, playgrounds and
recreation areas, or parts thereof, which are consistent with this
chapter.
C.
Director
of Recreation and Community Services. Under the direction of the Township
Administrator, a Director of Recreation and Community Services (hereafter
referred to as "Director") shall be employed by the Township of Plainsboro,
with responsibilities that include conducting the Township's recreation
programs and properly maintaining Township recreation and park property,
facilities and equipment. In the absence of the Director, the Township
Administrator shall assume the duties and responsibilities of this
chapter, which are designated as the responsibility of the Director.
D.
Motor
vehicle defined. "Motor vehicle" shall mean and include all vehicles
propelled other than by muscle power, and shall also include all motor
vehicles of the bicycle or tricycle type. Motor vehicles shall include,
but not be limited to, trucks, cars, motorcycles, motor bikes and
snowmobiles.
A.
Unless
waived in accordance with other provisions of this chapter, parks
shall be open from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Sunday. No person
shall remain in any park, playground or recreational area after sunset,
except in attendance at an organized activity so approved; no person
shall remain in the park, playground or recreation area more than
30 minutes after the conclusion of such activity that ends after sunset.
B.
Any
section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by
the Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily
or at regular stated intervals, and open entirely or for certain uses
as the Director may find reasonably necessary.
Group use of parks, or a portion thereof, and reservation of
facilities may be permitted, provided that the following regulations
are adhered to:
A.
Application
for group use or reservation shall be made to the Director on a first-come,
first-served basis, with as much prior notice as possible. The application
shall include the following information: the name and address of the
applicant; the name and address of the person or organization sponsoring
the activity; the day and time for which the group use or reservation
is desired; the park or portion of the park for which the group use
or reservation is desired; an estimate of the number of people to
attend; and any other information that the Director or Township Administrator
may find reasonably necessary to determine whether the group use or
reservation should be permitted.
B.
The
reservation or group use of the park will not unreasonably interfere
with or detract from the general enjoyment of the park, including
adjacent areas not included in said reservation.
C.
The
reservation or group use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract
from the public health, welfare, safety or recreation.
D.
The
reservation or group use will not be reasonably anticipated to include
violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
E.
The
reservation or group use will not entail extraordinary or burdensome
expense or police operation by the Township.
F.
The
reservation or group use is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations
will be taken no more than 60 calendar days in advance of the date
of the group use or reservation, or in advance of the first date of
use in the case of a seasonal reservation. Reservations for group
use for individual/one time activities will be accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis for eligible applicants. Permit request applications
for eligible Township athletic leagues will be processed for all sports
seasons in the current year in accordance with existing procedures.
G.
Reservation
and group use will be permitted for persons or groups who are entirely
or primarily Plainsboro Township residents or companies with facilities
in Plainsboro Township.
H.
A
group or organization using a park under the provisions of this section
will be bound by all park rules, regulations and applicable ordinances.
The person or organization to whom the permit or reservation is issued
shall be liable for all loss, damage or injury sustained by any person
whatever by reason of the negligence of the person to whom such permit
shall have been issued. The Director shall have the right to require
any permittee to submit evidence of liability insurance with the Township
as an additional insured, covering injuries to members of the general
public arising out of such permitted activities in such amounts as
may be from time to time determined by the Director prior to the commencement
of any activity or issuance of any permit as well as any other documentation
deemed relevant to the permit.
No person in a public park, playground or recreation area shall:
A.
Willfully
mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove
any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, pavings
or paving materials, waterlines or other public utilities or parts
or appurtenances thereof; signs, notices or placards (whether temporary
or permanent); monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers
or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances
whatsoever, either real or personal.
B.
Fail
to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and
sanitary condition. No person over the age of six years shall use
the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
C.
Dig
or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants or
other wood or materials or make any excavation by tool, equipment,
blasting or other means or agency.
D.
Damage,
cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark
or pick the flowers or seed of any tree or plant, dig in or otherwise
disturb grass areas or in any other way injure the natural beauty
or usefulness of any areas, or plant or install artificial wildlife,
plants or habitats.
E.
Climb
any tree; walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, planters, fountains,
railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily
used for such purposes.
F.
Tie
or hitch an animal to any tree, shrub, plant or park fixture.
G.
Hunt,
molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or
throw missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird; nor shall
he/she remove or have in his/her possession the young of any wild
animal or the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird. If approved
by the Director, fishing may be permitted. In addition, the Township
reserves the right to allow trapping and/or culling if deemed necessary
to protect the general habitat.
H.
Light
or cause to be lighted any fire, including the use of a grill, except
in a designated picnic area or unless approved by the Director of
the Township of Plainsboro.
No person in a public park, playground or recreation area shall:
A.
Throw,
discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of
any fountain, pond, lake, stream or other body of water in or adjacent
to any park or any tributary stream, storm sewer or drain flowing
into such water any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which
shall or may result in the pollution of such waters.
B.
Have
brought in or shall dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass,
ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, refuse or
other trash. No such refuse or trash shall be placed in any waters
in or contiguous to any park or left anywhere on the grounds thereof,
but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided.
Where receptacles are not provided or are full, all such rubbish or
waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible
for its presence and shall be properly disposed of elsewhere.
C.
Have brought in or leave on public property any equipment, furnishing,
grills, amusements, or similar without being granted permission by
the Director or designee, or as stipulated on a park permit.
No person in a public park, playground or recreation area shall:
A.
Drive
any motor vehicle on any area except the paved roads or parking areas
or such areas as may upon occasion specifically be designated as temporary
areas by the Director.
B.
Park
a motor vehicle in other than an established or designated parking
area, and such parking shall be in accordance with posted directions
and the instruction of any attendant who may be present.
C.
Leave
a motor vehicle standing or parked at night, or when the park is otherwise
closed, in established parking areas or elsewhere in the park areas.
D.
Fail
to comply with all applicable provisions of the State Motor Vehicle
Traffic Laws in regard to equipment and operation of vehicles.
E.
Fail
to obey the direction of a police officer or Township staff.
F.
Fail
to observe all traffic regulations and signs indicating speed, direction,
caution, stopping or parking and all others posted for proper control
and to safeguard life and property.
A.
Boating
shall be permitted in Plainsboro Pond, provided that permitted boats
shall be limited to rowboats, rafts, canoes, sailboats and similar
craft.
B.
No
gasoline-powered boats shall be permitted. No electric-powered boats
with a motor in excess of 1 1/2 horsepower shall be permitted.
C.
The
Director may, from time to time, designate areas from which boats
can be launched and may develop other regulations governing the use
of boats on Plainsboro Pond.
D.
No
person shall navigate, direct or handle any boat in such a manner
as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy, frighten or endanger the
occupants of any other boats.
E.
Boats on Township waters are required to have one Type I, II, III
or V Coast Guard approved PFD (personal flotation device) for each
person on board. Boats in excess of 16 feet are required to carry
one Type IV throwable PFD.
F.
Ice skating and swimming are prohibited at the Plainsboro Pond.
G.
Boats or related equipment may not be hitched, tied, or fastened
to any tree or park structure not specifically designated and provided
by the Township for such purpose.
The owner, keeper, or any person having charge or custody and
control of any dog or other domestic animal, except a disability assistance
animal, shall not allow that animal to enter upon any area in a public
park, playground, or recreation area posted as a "no pets" zone. Posting
shall be done in such a manner so as to clearly designate restricted
areas. Dogs may be permitted off leash in the area of the Community
Park designated "off-leash dog area." All dog owners who use this
area shall abide by the off-leash dog area guidelines for use posted
at the site. In all other areas in a public park, playground or recreation
area, dog and domestic animal owners are required to restrain those
animals on a leash no longer than six feet or a retractable lead capable
of being shortened to six feet. No dogs or domestic animals, even
if leashed, except a disability assistance animal, will be permitted
in parks or Municipal Center grounds during a special event in that
park or on the Municipal Center grounds. Animal owners, keepers, or
any person having charge or custody of any animal shall be responsible
to collect and remove animal feces from the park.
No person shall, in a public park, playground or recreation
area, take any action or cause another person to take any action that
would be a nuisance to other users of the park, playground or recreation
area. Such action would include, but not be limited to, the following:
A.
Playing a radio, amplifier or musical instrument too loudly.
B.
Throwing stones, sticks and other missiles.
C.
Soliciting, begging and posting notices.
D.
Running lotteries and games of chance.
E.
Shining bright lights on adjacent properties, except in Community
Park where the ball field lights are under the control of the Township.
F.
Obstruction or interference by person, object, or vehicle, within
established parking areas or athletic courts.
A.
No person
shall consume or possess any alcoholic beverage on any property designated
as a park, playground or recreational area.
B.
No person shall consume or possess any alcoholic beverage on any
property designated as a park, playground, recreational area or any
other public facility.
[Added 12-9-2015 by Ord.
No. 0-15-12]
A.
The season for using lighted ball fields shall begin in mid-April
and end by mid-November, the exact dates to be promulgated annually
by the Director.
B.
Hours of operation for the lights shall be set on timers maintained
by the Township at the discretion of the Director.
C.
Lighted fields will be available only on Monday through Saturday.
Waivers from this policy may be granted, in unusual circumstances,
at the discretion of the Director.
D.
Fees for the use of lighted facilities will be assessed according
to a schedule to be promulgated annually by the Director.
Any person using the Plainsboro Preserve shall abide by the
requirements of this chapter, the Rules and Regulations Governing
the Use of County Parks as adopted by the Middlesex County Board of
Chosen Freeholders and the deed restrictions imposed on the site.
No swimming, hunting, fishing, ice skating, boating or trapping is
permitted within the Preserve. A copy of the Rules and Regulations
Governing the Use of County Parks as adopted by the Middlesex County
Board of Chosen Freeholders is available in the office of the County
Park Commission and the deed restrictions are on file in the office
of the Director and the Township Clerk.
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord.
No. 18-10[1]]
There shall be no deer hunting on Township property except for
wildlife management purposes as approved by resolution of the Township
of Plainsboro Committee, in accordance with applicable state laws
and regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that "§ 25-5 shall remain in force and effect; provided, however, that where an inconsistency exists between this ordinance and § 25-5, this ordinance shall control. § 25-13 shall remain in force and effect; provided, however, that where an inconsistency exists between this ordinance and § 25-13, this ordinance shall control."
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord.
No. 18-10]
No person shall hunt, shoot, kill, or remove deer from any property
owned by Plainsboro Township, including but not limited to Plainsboro
Preserve, or enter such property while carrying or possessing any
weapon otherwise lawfully possessed for the purposes of hunting, unless
that person has first obtained a municipal deer management permit
for such activity.
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord.
No. 18-10]
A.
Permit eligibility. Municipal deer management permits shall be issued
through a random lottery to any holder of a valid State of New Jersey
hunting license age 18 or older. The Township reserves the right to
limit the number of permits issued. All permits shall be site-specific
and nontransferable.
B.
Permit application process. All applications must be submitted in
writing to the Township of Plainsboro Chief of Police, by the applicant,
on a form promulgated by the Police Chief. Application forms may be
made available online. The applicant shall provide the following information:
(1)
Name, address, phone number, and date of birth.
(2)
Automobile license plate number, year, make, model and color.
(3)
Copies of the applicant's current and valid New Jersey hunting license(s).
(4)
A signed certification that the applicant is not prohibited by law
from possessing a firearm and has not been convicted of any felony.
Any applicant who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm or
who has been convicted of a felony shall not be eligible for a municipal
deer management permit.
(5)
A release authorizing the Township to conduct a background check
for violations of the New Jersey Fish and Game Code, N.J.A.C. 7:25-5
et seq., plus N.J.S.A. Title 23 and for violations of any local regulations
pertaining to parks or to hunting. Any applicant who has violated
any significant provision of the Fish and Game Code, Title 23 or has
violated any local regulation pertaining to parks or to hunting within
five years of the date of the application shall not be eligible for
a permit.
(6)
A copy of a current certificate of insurance confirming general liability
insurance with combined single limits coverage for bodily injury and
property damage of at least $1,000,000 per single occurrence and $1,000,000
annual aggregate, which can be satisfied through full membership in
the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs or other sources.
(7)
Applications shall be reviewed by the Plainsboro Township Police
Department for accuracy and for compliance with the requirements set
forth herein. After review, the Plainsboro Township Police Department
shall either grant or deny the permit application.
C.
Permit fees. To defray increased maintenance, materials, labor and
administrative costs incurred by the Township in connection with its
deer management program, the Township Committee may, by resolution,
establish permit fees. The applicant shall submit the required fee
to the Township with the completed application. Any application submitted
without the required fee shall not be processed. Fees collected from
applicants who do not receive a permit shall be returned to the applicant
within 60 days of the denial.
D.
Duration of permit. Permits shall be valid only during all applicable
state-approved deer hunting seasons, as said dates may be amended
from time to time by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
and the Fish and Game Council. The Township Committee reserves the
right to adjust the duration of the permits by resolution.
E.
Revocation of permit. The Township Administrator, Clerk, Police Chief
or designee shall be authorized to revoke any permit issued at any
time if the safety of any persons or personal property, including
that of the Township of Plainsboro, is threatened by a permittee.
Violations by any permittee of any significant, applicable state or
local rules and regulations pertaining to hunting or to the use of
recreation land or Township property shall be cause for permit revocation.
Authorized personnel may require such a permittee to leave the area
immediately for just cause.
F.
Enforcement. The Township Police Department shall be authorized to
revoke a permit issued hereunder at any time if the safety of any
persons or the safety of personal property, including that of the
Borough, is threatened. Violations by any permittee of any significant
state or local rules and regulations pertaining to hunting or use
of parkland shall also cause the permit to be revoked. Where such
permit has been revoked or where persons or personal property are
endangered as set forth above, the Borough Clerk and the Police Department
are authorized to require that such person or persons leave the area
immediately and take all steps necessary to eliminate the condition
which endangers persons or personal property.
G.
Violations and penalties. Any hunting activity undertaken in violation
of this chapter will result in the immediate loss of hunting privileges
on the property and will subject the hunter to any applicable penalties,
including but not limited to the general penalties set forth in this
Code. The maximum penalty for a first offense shall be $500. The maximum
penalty for a second or subsequent offense shall be $1,000. Any individual
hunting on municipally owned property without a permit issued pursuant
to this chapter shall be considered trespassing and subject to the
fines and may be prosecuted as trespassers.
H.
Permit availability, designated properties and notifications. The
number of permits issued each year, the properties for which the permits
are issued and the dates on which those properties may be hunted,
shall be determined annually by resolution of the Township Committee.
A press release and/or notice informing the public of said designated
dates and locations shall be published as follows: the Township's
website, the Township's television channels, and a press release shall
be provided to the official newspaper(s) of Plainsboro Township. Residents
within 200 feet of these designated properties also will be notified
by mail.
[Added 7-25-2018 by Ord.
No. 18-10]
A.
Any recipient of a permit under this chapter shall comply with all
applicable state laws, as well as any rules and regulations promulgated
by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection.
B.
Deer management program rules and regulations shall be determined
annually by resolution of the Township Committee. In addition, the
following requirements shall apply to all permitted hunters:
(1)
Permits shall only apply to traditional hunting, meaning the pursuit
of deer by licensed hunters during annual prescribed open seasons
as approved by the Township Committee and provided by the Game Code
(firearm and bow).
(2)
All hunting shall be from commercially made tree stands maintained
in safe condition and utilized according to the manufacturer's specifications
and instructions. A commercially produced fall-restraint harness must
be used at all times when using the tree stand. Only one tree stand
is allowed per permit holder. Hunting from ground blinds, still hunting,
and driving deer is prohibited. The type, size, and maintenance of
tree stands shall be established by the Township Committee, by resolution,
for each hunting season.
(3)
All deer must be reported using the New Jersey Division of Fish and
Wildlife's Automated Harvest Report System.
(4)
Permittees shall be authorized to hunt only the property for which
they have been issued a permit and shall be responsible for knowing
property boundaries and where they are at all times. Each permittee
is required to carry his or her municipal deer management permit on
their person when engaging in hunting activities on properties within
this program. Tree stands must be identified with the permit number
clearly readable from the ground. Vehicle permits must be displayed
on the front left side of the dashboard of the authorized vehicle
registered with the deer management program.
(5)
Motorized vehicles shall be restricted to public roads and designated
parking areas.
(6)
Target practice is strictly prohibited. The legal discharge of a
crossbow into a portable target at the hunt's end is not considered
to be target practice.
(7)
Season dates and bag limits shall comply with those designated by
the State of New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish
and Game Council for applicable deer management zones. Additional
date and harvest restrictions may be determined annually by resolution
of the Township Committee. Pursuant to state law, Sunday hunting is
prohibited on municipal lands.
(8)
The hunting, shooting, killing, pursuit, or removal of any other
wildlife is strictly prohibited.
(9)
Compliance with any additional conditions as may be deemed necessary
to ensure the safety of residents by the Plainsboro Township Police
Chief or Township Committee after reasonable notification. Such conditions
may include limiting the days and times during which the permittees
may hunt and restricting the areas within the parks or open spaces
where hunting is permitted.
(10)
Failure to comply with the rules and regulations in this chapter,
or other applicable laws, rules, or regulations promulgated by the
state or Township Committee, shall result in the forfeiture of a permit
issued under this chapter and may affect future permit eligibility.
