It is the purpose of this chapter to clarify the process for
the issuance of permits for parades, processions and special events
and to provide guidelines for said events that protect the health,
safety and welfare of the participants and the public.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
SPECIAL EVENT
For the purpose of this chapter, "special event" shall mean
any exhibition, show, athletic contest, running race, bike-a-thon,
block party, parade, procession, entertainment, meeting, or other
similar event sponsored by an organized group or individual having
a similar or common purpose or goal, occurring on or proceeding along
a public street, other public right-of-way, or public property or
building within the Township of Hamilton.
The permit application shall include:
A. The name, address and telephone number of the person requesting the
permit.
B. The name, address and telephone number of the organization or group
he or she is representing.
C. The name, address and telephone number of the person or persons who
will act as chairman of the special event and be responsible for the
conduct thereof.
D. The estimated number of persons to participate in and attend the
event.
E. The number and type of vehicles, if any, to participate.
F. The date and time of the event, including any set-up or clean-up
period.
G. The location where the event is to be held, including the specific
assembly and dispersal locations and the specific route and the plans
for assembly and dispersal of the participants.
H. The attachment of any other required licenses or permits where appropriate.
I. The type, size description, and location of any signs to be erected
by the organization in connection with the event.
J. Such other information as the Public Works Director or Police Chief
may deem necessary in order to properly provide for traffic control,
street and property maintenance and the protection of the public health,
safety and welfare.
Nothing in this chapter shall be held or construed to apply
to any funeral procession or parade incidental to or connected with
any funeral, nor to any procession or parade of any body of police
or firemen of the Township or National Guard of the state or troops
of the United States of America.
Applications for special events will be scheduled on a first-come-first-served-basis.
When more than one complete application is received for the same date(s),
the following priority order will apply:
A. Meetings or events directly sponsored by the Township Committee,
Township employees for municipal purposes, and events directly sponsored
by the Township emergency services departments.
B. Meetings of municipal advisory boards and committees.
C. Meetings or events directly sponsored by Township departments and/or
employees for municipal purposes.
D. Meetings held for the discussion of municipal issues.
E. Local, residential youth recreational activities or service organizations.
[Amended 6-6-2022 by Ord. No. 1991-2022]
The Township of Hamilton has created a fee schedule for usage
of park and recreation areas by use category. A fee for additional
municipal services has also been created. The list of use categories
and fees are as follows:
A. Use categories.
(1) Category I permit/use: Township of Hamilton programs and events.
Any Township of Hamilton sanctioned program and/or special event.
(2) Category II permit/use: recognized and sponsored Township of Hamilton
youth organizations. These organizations will be named at reorganization
every year.
(3) Category III permit/use: Hamilton Township School District/Greater
Egg Harbor Regional School District. Programs, events and/or activities
officially sanctioned, coordinated and sponsored by the school districts.
(4) Category IV permit/use: Township of Hamilton nonprofit organizations/Township
of Hamilton church groups/Township of Hamilton Boy and Girl Scout
groups. Nonprofit organizations, entities, individuals, or groups
for the purpose of providing recreational services primarily to Township
of Hamilton residents must show proof of nonprofit status and be able
to demonstrate that their use of facilities benefits and/or services
Township of Hamilton residents. Team rosters and/or intended participants
must be 80% Township of Hamilton residents or higher. If at any time
the organization or team rosters fall below 80%, the organization
must immediately inform the Department of Recreation. This may result
in the organization or team being reclassified into Category V.
(5) Category V permit use: non-Township-of-Hamilton nonprofit organizations.
Nonprofit organizations, entities, individuals or groups for the purpose
of providing recreation services must show proof of nonprofit status.
Team rosters or intended participants with less than 80% Township
of Hamilton residents.
(6) Category VI permit/use: commercial organizations, entities, individuals
or groups for the purpose of providing recreational services that
are operated as a for-profit commercial enterprise.
B. Permit fees.
[Amended 10-17-2022 by Ord. No. 2015-2022]
(1) Categories I, II, and III are permitted for use as follows:
(b)
Field use with lights: no charge.
(c)
$25 per out-of-Township participant to be paid at registration.
(2) Category IV:
(a)
Field use: $25 per hour/three-hour block minimum.
(b)
Field use with lights: $60 per hour/three-hour block minimum.
(c)
$25 per out-of-Township participant to be paid at registration.
(3) Category V:
(a)
Field use: $30 per hour/three-hour block minimum.
(b)
Field use with lights: $60 per hour/three-hour block minimum.
(c)
$50 per out-of-Township participant to be paid at registration.
(4) Category VI:
(a)
Field use: $100 per hour/three-hour block minimum.
(b)
Field use with lights: $150 per hour/three-hour block minimum.
(c)
$75 per participant to be paid at registration.
(5) Sports and recreation camps, or clinics not offered by the Township
of Hamilton where there is a fee charged for participation.
(a)
Fee: 15% of the fee charged per participant plus $250 per field
usage per day.
C. Fees for municipal services.
(1) If it is determined by the appropriate officials that materials or
personnel costs shall be required for the purpose of maintaining the
general health, safety and welfare of attendees or participants in
the special event, or the community in general, the Township reserves
the right to require reimbursement of such costs.
(2) If reimbursement is required, the holder of the permit shall deposit
with the Chief Financial Officer a sum of money to be determined by
the Public Works Director and/or the Police Chief or their designees
to be a reasonable estimate of the costs required. Payment shall be
submitted by cash, check or money order no less than seven calendar
days prior to the event. Failure to remit these costs in a timely
fashion may result in the denial or revocation of the permit. After
the conduct of the special event, the holder of the permit shall be
required to pay the Township any additional amount determined to be
due in reimbursement of the Township's costs within 30 calendar
days.
(3) In the event that the sum of money so deposited in advance exceeds
the funds needed, the Township shall refund any excess deposit within
30 calendar days after the holding of said special event.
(4) Services and Township personnel covered by this section shall include but not be limited to additional police (as outlined in Chapter
70, Police Department, Article
III, Extra-Duty Employment, in the Township of Hamilton Municipal Code), fire, rescue squad, and public works service personnel.
D. Field scheduling.
(1) Categories I and II groups will have preference for field usage.
All applications for the playing seasons must be received by December
31 for approval.
(2) Categories III, IV, V, and VI must submit an application no later
than 60 days prior to the start date of use.
(3) To minimize field wear and maintenance and ensure the safety of participants,
park(s) and recreation areas(s) may be retired from play after each
season to allow rehabilitation/regrown and maintenance of the turf
and facility. The Director of Public Works and Youth and Protection
Services Coordinator may close any park(s) and recreation area(s)
for the upcoming season based upon a review of the conditions and
required maintenance to ensure playability. The Township may cancel
individual activities on any given day depending on weather and current
conditions.
(4) All teams, regardless of category, shall submit a roster, required
insurance coverage, and copies of coaches, trainers, etc., and youth
protection cards where applicable, before the start of the season
and/or practices. All rosters must be complete and contain the minimum
number of players to field a team.
Any signs erected in connection with a properly approved special
event shall be removed within 24 hours of the conclusion of the event.
Any trash and recycling generated by this event shall be cleaned up
within 12 hours of the conclusion of the event.
Any permit issued under this section may contain conditions
reasonably calculated to reduce or minimize dangers to vehicular or
pedestrian traffic and the public health, safety and welfare, including
but not limited to changes in the date, time, duration or number of
participants or attendees as requested by the applicant. Further,
for the purposes of public safety and welfare, the Chief of Police
may require and order the temporary closing of streets and/or the
temporary prohibition of parking along such streets during the event,
and shall direct the posting of proper warning signs in connection
with said event, as provided by law.
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity violating
the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed
$500.
Any applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial of any
permit under this chapter to the Township Administrator. The denied
applicant shall make the appeal within five calendar days after receipt
of the denial by filing a written notice of appeal with the Public
Works Director or his or her designee. The Township Administrator
shall act upon the appeal within 30 calendar days after receipt of
the same.