It is hereby found and determined that by reason of litter and other
public health nuisances the condition of certain properties has the effect
of creating unsightly and unsafe conditions that will grow and spread and
will necessitate in time the expenditure of public funds to eliminate the
same. Timely restrictions and regulations as indicated in this chapter will
contribute to the maintenance of the neighborhood property values and firmly
establish the Township of Independence as a clean community, thereby enhancing
the public health, safety and welfare.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health by establishing
an Anti-Litter Ordinance as well as to address other conditions viewed as
a public nuisance and to proscribe or fix penalties for the violations thereof.
This chapter is hereby declared to be remedial and essential for the public
interest and is intended to be construed liberally to effectuate the purposes
herein stated.
Any person who owns property or any proprietor or individual who sponsors
the following events shall be responsible for providing and servicing litter
receptacles or containers for the same which shall be required in the following
public places within the Township: sidewalks used by pedestrians in active
commercially zoned areas, such that at a minimum there shall be no single
linear quarter-mile without a receptacle; buildings held out for use by the
public, including schools, government buildings and railroad and bus stations;
parks; drive-in restaurants; all street vendor locations; self-service refreshment
areas; construction sites; gasoline service station islands; shopping centers;
parking lots; campgrounds and trailer parks; marinas, boat moorage and fueling
stations; boat launching areas, public and private piers operated for public
use; beaches and bathing areas; and at special events to which the public
is invited, including sporting events, parades, carnivals, circuses and festivals.
For violation of any provision of this chapter, the penalty, upon conviction,
shall be a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum penalty of one or more of the
following: a fine not exceeding $2,000, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days
or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. Except as otherwise
provided, each and every day in which a violation of any provision of this
chapter exists shall constitute a separate violation.