TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

ORDINANCE 2023- 12

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER AMENDING THE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL CODE FOR PURPOSES OF ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS REGARDING THE FEEDING OF UNCONFINED WILDLIFE IN PUBLIC PARKS OR TOWNSHIP OWNED OR OPERATED PROPERTY

SECTION 1. Purpose

The purpose of this ordinance is to prohibit the feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by North Hanover Township so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.

SECTION 2. Definitions

For this ordinance, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this ordinance clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

a. “Feed” means to give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife. Feeding does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game.

b. “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this State subject to municipal jurisdiction.

c. “Wildlife” means all animals that are neither human nor domesticated.

SECTION 3. Prohibited Conduct

a. No person shall feed, in any public park or on any other property owned or operated by Township of North Hanover any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at environmental education centers, or feral cats as part of an approved Trap-Neuter-Release program).

SECTION 4. Enforcement

a. This ordinance shall be enforced by the Township Police Department and/or Zoning Officer of North Hanover Township.

b. Any person found to be in violation of this ordinance shall be ordered to cease the feeding immediately.

SECTION 5. Violations and Penalties

Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to the general penalties set forth in Section 1-035 of the Municipal Code of the Township of North Hanover.

SECTION 6. Severability

Each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase of this Ordinance is declared to be an independent section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase, and the finding or holding of any such portion of this Ordinance to be unconstitutional, void, or ineffective for any cause, or reason, shall not affect any other portion of this Ordinance.

SECTION 7. Effective date

This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and any publication as may be required by law.

NOTICE

This Ordinance published herewith was introduced and passed upon first reading at the regular meeting of the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover held on August 17, 2023. It will be further considered for final passage after a public hearing to be held on September 21, 2023, at the Municipal Building, 41 Schoolhouse Road, Jacobstown, NJ at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at which time and place any person desired to be heard upon the same will be given an opportunity to be heard. Copies are available free of charge at the Municipal Clerk’s Office prior to the public hearing.

______________________________
Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC Municipal Clerk

Vote on Introduction of Ordinance:

NOTICE

The ordinance read by title upon second reading herewith has been adopted at the meeting of the Township Committee of North Hanover Township, held on September 21, 2023.

_________________________

Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC

Municipal Clerk

Vote on Adoption of Ordinance: