[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Emerson 4-3-2001 by Ord. No. 1169; amended in its entirety 12-2-2003 by Ord. No.
1226. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as "Use of Municipal
Buildings and Grounds."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a
policy and procedure for the application for use of municipal buildings
and grounds by the residents of the Borough and those organizations
to which they belong.
[Amended 12-18-2018 by Ord. No. 1579-18]
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated.
Borough-sponsored sports activity administered through the
Recreation Commission; insurance for the sports is covered by the
Borough. Registration is controlled by the individual sports and is
for children that reside in the Borough or attend the Borough schools
only. Teams usually play against other teams from within the Borough,
but some teams will travel to surrounding towns to play against other
teams. All individuals have an opportunity to play regardless of skill
level.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Borough-sponsored sports activity administered through the
Recreation Commission; insurance for the sports is covered by the
Borough. Registration is controlled by the individual sports and is
for children that reside in the Borough or attend the Borough schools
only. The teams usually travel to surrounding towns and play teams
from other jurisdictions. Tryouts may be needed to select players
and/or reduce the number of participants for each team and there is
no guarantee of playing time as it may be different for each player.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Independently sponsored sports activity run by the individual
sports or outside entity and is for children that reside in the Borough
or attend the Borough schools. Seventy-five percent of the player
roster must consist of Borough residents or student athletes that
attend Borough schools, at a specific age level as set forth by the
sport. Tryouts are conducted annually, or more frequently if necessary,
to encourage a well-balanced team and to select players and/or reduce
the number of participants for each team if a roster has reached a
desired number of players as set forth by the sport and for each team.
There is no guarantee of playing time as it may be different for each
player.
The facilities defined herein which are used primarily for
one organization or entity, the use by which takes precedence over
all other requests for use.
Independently sponsored sports activity, usually run by an outside entity which is not affiliated with the Borough of Emerson. These teams usually charge a fee to participate and may have tryouts to select players and/or reduce the number of participants for each team; there is no guarantee of playing time. Insurance coverage is independently secured by the entity. These teams usually participate in leagues or tournaments that charge a fee for entry and sometimes have paid coaches. All nonresident organizations must pay a fee as provided in § 200-8B(7) of this Code in order to use the fields. All nonresident organizations must provide proof of insurance and the Borough must be named as an additional insured.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Groups and organizations as defined in Chapter 210 of this Code.
All public parks, fields, buildings and facilities, both
indoor and outdoor, within the Borough of Emerson which are owned,
used or controlled by the Borough for recreation, meetings, expositions,
social functions and similar activities.
[Amended 12-18-2018 by Ord. No. 1579-18]
Any group or organization, except as prohibited
herein, may be permitted to use public and limited-use facilities
subject to the following rules and regulations:
A.
Any group wishing to use a public facility or limited-use facility
shall submit a written application, signed by a person over the age
of 18, to the Borough Administrator at least 14 days prior to the
desired use date. The application shall include the name and address
of the organization, the names and addresses of organization officers
and/or trustees, the purpose of the meeting, the expected number of
attendees and the facility of which use is requested. The time limit
may be waived for good cause by the Borough Administrator.
B.
All groups using a public facility or limited-use facility shall
execute an indemnity and waiver agreement in the form approved by
the Joint Underwriter's Fund prior to use of the facility. The agreement
must be signed by a person over 18 years of age.
C.
All applicants (excluding the limited exception below) shall provide
a certificate of insurance, naming the Borough of Emerson as certificate
holder and additional insured, and the certificate must be attached
to the application. The certificate must have limits of liability
for bodily injury, liability and property damage in the amounts required
by the Borough of Emerson. The requirement of a hold harmless agreement
and/or insurance may be waived, in writing, by the Mayor and Council
under circumstances where the Recreation Commission concludes it is
appropriate. Applicants that will have fewer than 30 people in attendance,
and are not exchanging any fees (either for participation, the sale
or exchange of goods, i.e., a farmer's market, a flea market, etc.)
and also are not conducting an athletic event of any kind (i.e., a
race, a game, etc.) will not be required to acquire insurance. The
exception to the insurance requirement includes family picnics, birthday
parties, and other gatherings limited to an attendance of fewer than
30 people. All other applicants shall obtain insurance in the amounts
and forms that the municipality deems reasonable and necessary.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
D.
All groups are responsible for cleanup and setup of the facility
and responsible for the cost of repair and/or damage to the facility.
E.
Any group requesting use of a facility for a single use shall deposit
$100 plus $1 per person as a cleaning deposit at least seven days
prior to the use date. The deposit will be returned by the Borough
Administrator upon satisfactory inspection following the use.
F.
A record book shall be kept in the administrative offices of the
Borough for purposes of scheduling use and for a record of use of
municipal buildings and grounds.
G.
No alcoholic beverages may be served in or at any public facility
or limited-use facility.
H.
No smoking is permitted in or at any indoor public facility or limited-use
facility.
I.
The group or organization, its members, guests and invitees shall
follow all the laws of the State of New Jersey and all the ordinances
of the Borough, including but not limited to fire regulations and
occupancy limits.
J.
The Mayor and Council may revoke permission granted to any group
or organization for failing to follow laws, ordinances and regulations.
K.
Youth groups and organizations shall be supervised by one person
18 years of age or older.
L.
Application for use of facilities shall be on a first-come-first-served
basis unless as otherwise set forth for limited-use facilities.
M.
Inventory of Borough Facilities:
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Benkovic Field
|
Baseball
|
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Hillman Field
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Baseball Field
|
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Hillman Field
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Soccer Field
|
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Ackerman Park
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Basketball Courts
|
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Other Borough parks:
| |
|
Ackerman Park
| |
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Centennial Park
| |
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Emerson Woods
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Leo Rosengart Memorial Park (Sunset Park)
| |
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Longview Park
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Washington Park
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The following are designated limited-use facilities,
together with groups having priority in the use of those limited-use
facilities:
A.
Senior citizen center. Priority shall be granted to
use by Emerson Senior Citizens Club in accordance with its bylaws
and regulations.
B.
Firehouse. Priority shall be granted to use by the
Emerson Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., in accordance with Borough
ordinances and the Department's bylaws.
C.
Hillman Field. Priority shall be granted to use by
the Recreation Commission of the Borough of Emerson as well as for
official Borough events scheduled and sanctioned by the Mayor and
Council.
D.
Ambulance building. Priority shall be granted to use
by the Emerson Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc., in accordance with
Borough ordinances and the Corps' bylaws.
E.
Playgrounds are designated for recreation in accordance
with the rules and regulations posted at each playground.
F.
The Municipal Building may be used as determined by
the Mayor and Council.
G.
The Borough library may only be used for library purposes
except as authorized by the Mayor and Council.
B.
If any sentence, paragraph or section of this chapter,
or the application thereof to any persons or circumstances, shall
be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, or
if by legislative action any sentence, paragraph or section of this
chapter shall lose its force and effect, such judgment or action shall
not affect, impair or void the remainder of this chapter.
