Organizations which qualify as charitable organizations under
the Internal Revenue Code and as defined in N.J.S.A. 45:17A-20 shall
be permitted to solicit charitable contributions on the roads running
through the Township, provided that such organizations comply with
the provisions set forth hereafter. No solicitations for charitable
contributions shall be permitted on any county road or intersection
thereof without the approval of the Warren County Board of Commissioners
(the Commissioner Board). No solicitations for charitable contributions
shall be permitted on any New Jersey state highway or intersection
thereof without the approval of the New Jersey Department of Transportation
(NJDOT).
Solicitation by charitable organizations shall be permitted
only at signalized intersections or when the existing traffic control
device causes temporary interruption in the flow of normal traffic.
No solicitation shall be permitted without the charitable organization
having first obtained all requisite permits and approvals from the
Township of Washington hereunder, the Commissioner Board, and NJDOT,
where applicable. A charitable solicitation permit from the Township
of Washington shall be the subject of a written application submitted
to the Police Chief who may prescribe the form of such application
and amend same from time to time. Applications for a charitable solicitation
permit shall be filled with the Police Chief no later than 30 days
prior to the requested commencement date for charitable solicitations.
Any person who, after the issuance of a charitable solicitation
permit by the Police Chief, engages in charitable solicitation in
accordance with such a permit shall comply with the following requirements:
A. All solicitation permits required for charitable solicitation activities
shall be in possession of one designated responsible person on the
scene at all times when charitable solicitation activities are occurring.
B. Each person soliciting charitable contributions on behalf of a charitable
organization shall be at least 18 years old.
C. Solicitations shall be subject to the specific terms and conditions
of each permit granted.
D. Solicitation shall not cause the stoppage of traffic or impede the
flow of traffic. Traffic must be stopped before solicitation may occur
and shall cease when traffic is moving. Use of a flagman shall be
prohibited.
E. The charitable organization shall be responsible for cleaning up
any debris from the roads and adjoining areas.
F. Solicitation shall only be permitted during the daylight hours.
G. Enforcing agencies of Warren County and NJDOT, as well as members
of the Township's Police Department, may suspend solicitation
operations at any time if any condition of the permit is violated
or, in the police officer's or the agency's sole discretion,
traffic is being impeded or delayed or the public safety is at risk.
H. Solicitors shall not drink alcoholic beverages, use controlled dangerous
substances or be under the influence thereof when soliciting. Solicitors
shall not harass the public.
I. Solicitation shall conform to the locations, dates, duration, and
times of charitable solicitation as approved by the Police Chief as
reflected in the charitable solicitation permit issued by the Police
Chief to a charitable organization.
J. All solicitors shall wear safety vests that are in accordance with
the standards of the NJDOT.
K. No solicitor shall install any traffic control devices and the parking
of vehicles of solicitors shall comply with all applicable traffic
regulations.
L. Signs advertising charitable solicitations shall be permitted, provided
that such signs must be of a temporary construction, be of a breakaway
nature to the extent possible, and shall be no larger than six square
feet.
M. At least two warning signs shall be placed on each approach at all
locations where charitable solicitations occur. The first sign shall
be placed at least 500 feet ahead of the solicitation location, and
one sign must identify the names of the charitable organization soliciting.
Signs shall not be permitted in the traveled way or in the medians
less than eight feet in width. All signs, warnings, noticing, and
advertising shall be removed immediately following each solicitation
activity.
N. Charitable organizations shall provide proof of insurance acceptable
to the Township or request a waiver of same.
Any person guilty of violating any provision hereof shall be
liable for a fine not to exceed $100 for each day of such violation.