[Adopted 2-9-2006 as Ch. 230 of the 2006 Code of the Borough of High Bridge]
This article is based upon N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.13 which empowers
municipalities throughout the state to make, enforce and amend and
repeal ordinances requiring owners or tenants of land to eliminate
certain weed and debris hazards.
[Amended 8-18-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-23]
Whenever the Mayor and Council of the Borough of High Bridge,
in the County of Hunterdon, shall determine that it is necessary and
expedient for the preservation of the public health, safety, general
welfare or to eliminate a fire hazard, to require the removal from
any lands within the limits of said Borough of brush, weeds, dead
and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage,
trash and debris, the owner or tenant of such lands shall, within
10 days after notice from the Zoning Officer or Administrator so to
do, remove from such lands all brush, weeds, dead and dying trees,
stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash and debris
thereon.
It is the duty of the owner or tenant of any land or lands lying
within the Borough limits of the Borough of High Bridge, where the
Mayor and Council, by resolution, have found it necessary and expedient
for the preservation of the public health, safety or general welfare
or to eliminate a fire hazard, to remove brush, weeds, dead and dying
trees, roots, stumps, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash or
debris of any kind.
A.
Brush collection. The Borough of High Bridge shall, by outside contract
or the use of Borough employees, arrange for removal and disposal
of all brush, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
(1)
Brush shall be placed at curbside without interfering with the vehicular
passage or stormwater drainage in a roadway, with the stem portion
of said brush facing the roadway.
(2)
No brush shall be placed at curbside earlier than seven days prior
to the next scheduled collection date.
(3)
Brush shall be no more than three inches in diameter and shall not
be tied with any type of string, cord, rope, wire, or tape.
[Amended 8-18-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-23]
(4)
Each property owner shall be responsible for the removal of tree
stumps not owned by the Borough and any brush larger than three inches
in diameter.
[Amended 8-18-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-23]
(5)
The owner of land being cleared of natural undergrowth and/or trees
shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of all cut vegetations
within one week of said cutting.
(6)
Each property owner engaging the services of a professional tree
remover or landscaper shall include in said contract the removal and
disposal of the trees, stumps and brush generated by the contractor.
(7)
The Borough shall provide brush removal and disposal services not
prohibited in this section during the last full work week in the months
of April, May, June, September, October and November.
(8)
The collection of cut Christmas trees, without stumps, shall be made by the Borough during the four weeks following Christmas Day, provided that they are placed at curbside in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A(1) of this section. All Christmas trees must have all wire, ornaments, tinsel and stands removed before they can be picked up.
B.
Grass clippings. The Borough shall not be responsible for the collection,
removal or disposal of grass clippings.
[Amended 8-18-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-23]
C.
Leaves. The Borough shall provide for the removal and disposal service
of fallen leaves during the months of October, November and December,
subject to the following conditions:
(1)
Leaves must be placed at the curb, on resident's property, not in
roadway, no closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet.
[Amended 8-18-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-23]
(2)
Fallen leaves originating on properties fronting on County Route
513 and Mine Road between Seal Street and Cokesbury Road shall be
bagged and placed at curbside for collection.
[Amended 9-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-046]
D.
Disposing of Brush in the Commons on the Wye.
[Added 8-18-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-23]
(1)
Disposing of brush in the Commons on the Wye shall be restricted
to High Bridge residents only. Proof of residency is required.
(3)
Brush shall be no more than three inches in diameter and shall not
be tied with any type of string, cord, rope, wire, or tape.
(4)
Grass clippings, leaves, stumps, other debris will not be accepted.
In all cases where the owner or tenant of lands within the limits
of the Borough to whom notice shall have been given as herein provided
shall refuse or neglect to remove from such lands within the time
herein provided all brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots,
obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash and debris, the Director
of Public Works of the Borough shall cause the same to be removed
under his direction and supervision, and he shall certify the cost
thereof to the Council of the Borough, which shall examine the certificate
and, if found correct, shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be
charged against said lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith
become a lien upon such lands and shall be added to and become and
form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands,
the same to bear interest at the same rate as taxes, and shall be
collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner
as taxes.
A.
The notice required to be given to the owner or tenant of any lands
within the limits of the Borough pursuant to the provisions of this
article shall be given in writing and, in addition to requiring the
removal from the lands therein specified, within 10 days, of all brush,
weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth,
garbage, trash and debris, shall warn the owner or tenant of such
lands that in the event of failure to comply with notice such removal
will be made under the direction and supervision of the Director of
Public Works of the Borough and that the cost thereof will become
a lien upon such lands and be added to and become a part of the taxes
next to be assessed and levied upon the same and bear interest at
the same rate and be collected in the same manner as taxes.
B.
The said notice shall also contain a further warning that in the
event of the failure of any person to whom the notice is given to
comply therewith, he may be charged with violating the provisions
of this article and, if convicted thereof, may, in addition to having
the cost of removal become a lien upon the lands as aforesaid, suffer
the penalties herein provided for the violation of this article.
The notice required to be given pursuant to the provisions of
this article may be served upon the owner or owners, tenant or tenants
in person or by leaving it at their usual place of residence with
a member of their family above the age of 14 years, but if any such
owner or tenant shall not reside in the Borough of High Bridge, such
notice may be served upon him by mailing certified, return receipt
requested to the same to his last known post office address with postage
thereon prepaid.
