By Melissa L. Gaffney, Staff Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — In order to comply with a new state statute, the Township Committee last week introduced an ordinance that requires any clothing bin placed within the township to be registered.
The legislation was enacted to control the legitimacy of clothing bins placed in municipalities statewide, Deputy Clerk Dana Tyler said Tuesday. The statute also standardizes the registration procedure, she added.
Now, any clothing bin owned or sponsored by a registered, charitable organization or any township department must obtain a 12-month permit from the zoning board, according to the ordinance, introduced July 9.
Additionally, there will be a $25 application fee, which also must be paid when the permit is renewed every 12 months, according to the ordinance. However, township departments are exempt from paying the fee, the ordinance states.
The permit number and date of expiration must be “clearly and conspicuously displayed” on the clothing bin’s exterior, the ordinance states.
If a bin is found to be in violation of the ordinance and the violation is not remedied within 48 hours of notification, there will be a $100-a-day fine for the first offense and $250 a day for the second offense, according to the ordinance.
The public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for the Aug. 13 Township Committee meeting at 7 p.m. in the municipal courtroom on Route 539.
