Millstone Township loves a parade to have a permit
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - Officials have introduced two ordinances that would regulate parades, demonstrations and other assemblies on township property.

Mayor Nancy Grbelja said that both ordinances were brought forward at the request of the township's Veterans Council. A public hearing on both ordinances will be held Sept. 1.

The first ordinance the Township Committee introduced at its Aug. 1 meeting establishes regulations regarding the time and manner in which public property can be used for parades, demonstrations and public assemblies.

The proposed ordinance defines parades as any march, ceremony, demonstration, show, exhibition, pageant, procession, rally or motorcade consisting of persons, animals or vehicles upon the streets, sidewalks, parks or other public grounds.

A public assembly is defined by the proposed ordinance as any meeting, demonstration, picket line, rally or gathering of more than 20 persons for a common purpose on streets, sidewalks, parks or other public grounds. Demonstrations are defined as gatherings of 20 or more people for the purpose of demonstrating, picketing, making speeches, marching, and holding vigils on the streets, sidewalks, parks or other public grounds.

Under the first proposed ordinance, no persons or associations would be allowed to engage in, participate in, aid, form or start any kind of parade, demonstration or public assembly in the township, unless such an activity is exempt by ordinance or a permit is received from the township clerk.

The township would deem those who do not comply with the ordinance as "disorderly persons," according to the proposed ordinance.

Those involved in funeral and wedding processions, governmental agency actions and labor picketing, and students going to or from school and participating in educational or sports activities, would not need a permit, according to the proposed ordinance.

Exceptions would also apply to spontaneous news or current affair events that come into public knowledge three days prior to the parade, demonstration or public assembly, provided that the organizers of the events give written notice to the township clerk at least 24 hours in advance.

The ordinance would require event organizers seeking permits to provide the township with information such as the route to be traveled, including starting and ending points, the approximate number of people, animals and vehicles involved, the approximate hours when the event will begin and end, and a statement as to whether the event will occupy all or a portion of the streets and public property to be used.

Those seeking permits would also have to supply statements setting forth their plans for security, emergency services and trash disposal. A nonrefundable fee of $25 would have to be paid at the time the application for the permit is filed, according to the proposed ordinance.

The ordinance states that the township administrator could deny a permit application through certified mail within 10 business days of having received the application.

The second ordinance states that the township aims to maintain an atmosphere of calm, tranquillity and reverence at its Veterans Memorial for visitors to remember and commemorate veterans who have served or are currently serving the country.

The memorial is located next to the municipal building on Stagecoach Road.

In an effort to better maintain a calm atmosphere at the memorial, the proposed ordinance would not permit parades, demonstrations or public assemblies within 150 feet of the memorial for one hour before or after any scheduled and noticed service there that is dedicated to past or current members of the military.