Borough of Collingswood, NJ Chapter 115 Buildings, Fire Damaged

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Collingswood 10-6-1997 by Ord. No. 1136. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Securing of Buildings and Structures

[Adopted 10-6-1997 by Ord. No. 1136]

§ 115-1 Duties of Fire Chief; expense; collection; registration certificate.

A. The Fire Chief or duly authorized representative is empowered to order the securing of fire damaged buildings or structures. If the owners of the affected buildings or structures are present, this order shall be given to them. If no owners or representatives of the building or structure are present, or the owners refuse to secure the building or structure, the Fire Chief or his duly authorized representative may cause the building or structure to be secured, which shall be done without delay. The expense of securing the buildings or structures shall be a lien in favor of the borough, charged against the real property of the responsible owner and shall be collected as any other lien or debt to the Borough of Collingswood.

B. Registration certificates. Any business or individual that offers services to a residential or commercial property owner, for the purpose of securing a fire-damaged building or structure, shall be deemed a canvasser or solicitor as recognized under Chapter 123, § 123-2, of the Borough Code and shall further be required to comply with the registration certificate requirements set forth under Chapter 123, § 123-4, of the Code. The application required under this section shall be developed by the Borough Police Department. Registration certificates shall be valid for one year.

[Added 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 1549]

C. Proof of insurance and fees. In addition to the registration certificate requirements set forth under Chapter 123, § 123-4, of the Code, businesses or individuals governed by this section shall also provide the Chief of Police, at the time of registration, with proof of commercial general liability insurance providing for a minimum of $1,000,000 of insurance coverage. The applicant shall also be responsible for payment of an annual administrative fee of $25.

[Added 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 1549]

D. Issuance of registration certificate. Each business or individual, upon being so registered, shall be issued a registration certificate by the Chief of Police, upon which shall be affixed one photograph of the applicant, the signature of the Chief of Police or the Chief's authorized representative.

[Added 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 1549]

E. Possession of certificate required. Each representative of a business or individual governed by this section shall carry the original registration certificate at all times when providing services within the Borough and shall exhibit same to any fire or police officer upon request.

F. Rules and regulations. Every business or individual to whom a registration certificate is issued under the terms of this section shall be governed by the following rules and regulations:

(1) No person subject to the terms of this section shall enter or attempt to enter the building or structure of any resident or commercial property owner, or approach any such property owners, without the registration certificate in his possession.

(2) No person subject to the terms of this article shall conduct himself in such a manner as to harass or annoy any person while soliciting within the Borough limits.

(3) No person subject to the terms of this section shall interfere with, hinder, or obstruct any member of the Borough Fire Department, Borough Police Department, or any other emergency service personnel from performing their duties in accordance with the general protection, health, and welfare of the residents of the Borough.

G. Violations and penalties.

(1) Any person violating the terms of this section, whether as an individual, principal or agent or employee of another shall, upon conviction in the Municipal Court of the Borough of Collingswood, be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 90 days or a period of community service not to exceed 90 days, or any combination thereof, in the discretion of the Municipal Court.

(2) Any violation of this section shall further result in the revocation of a registration certificate for the period of one year, whereupon the issuance of a new registration certificate shall be governed by the procedures and requirements set forth within this section.