MONTGOMERY: Panel leans toward modified smoking rules

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — The Township Committee appears amenable to the idea of a modified smoke ordinance that would create smoke free zones in all public parks.
   The officials, during a Feb. 21 meeting, briefly reflected on the recently passed Board of Health resolution that supports banning smoking in designated areas within public parks where children might be present. Such places could include playgrounds, concession stands or sports events.
   The Township Committee seemed to be more comfortable with this idea than the original proposal, which called for making public parks entirely smoke free. The issue came up a couple of weeks ago when local, county and state health officials urged the township to be consistent with Somerset County, which recently made all its parks smoke-free to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
   ”I think it’s a good compromise to what we’re working toward,” said Committeeman Rich Smith.
   Mayor Trzaska appeared open to the modification as well.
   ”There’s no reason to do more,” said Mayor Ed Trzaska. “Folks who do smoke are taxpayers and own the parks as well.”
   However, he did think it was necessary to consider the thoughts of board member Dr. Greg Kaganowicz’s, who was the only one who voted against it. Dr. Kaganowicz refused to give his support because he was concerned the language was too broad and could serve as a loophole to ban smoking in all areas of the park anyway.
   ”We need to be sure what it says on paper is what is intended,” said Mayor Trzaska. “It obviously can’t be too broad.”
   Should the committee choose to move forward with smoke free zones, it has a choice between two types of ordinances. One could be an ordinance requiring folks to obey park rules. The other would be an amendment to an already existing township ordinance that bans smoking in and on municipal building and school campuses.
   However, Township Administrator Donato Nieman said they are still waiting for Health Officer Stephanie Carey to give them more information before any formal action is taken.