[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Montville
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 4-11-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-2]
A.Â
The Town Council endorses the following:
(1)Â
The mission of the Town Recreation Department is to provide recreational
and leisure opportunities that enhance the quality of life for its
citizens and to provide safe environments. The Town Recreation Department
has an obligation to prohibit those activities which it deems contrary
to this mission.
(2)Â
The Town cares deeply about promoting the good health and quality
of life for its citizens and visitors.
(3)Â
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease
in the United States.
(4)Â
Secondhand smoke contains many harmful chemicals and cancer-causing
agents and is a serious health risk to humans, especially to infants,
children and pregnant women, and increases a nonsmoker's risk
for asthma, heart disease and lung cancer.
(5)Â
Chewing tobacco contains many harmful chemicals and cancer-causing
agents, and its use is associated with cancers of the mouth, gums,
tongue, and throat.
(6)Â
The use of chewing tobacco is associated with saliva or spit being
cast upon the ground, seating areas, and other surfaces in recreational
areas, resulting in increased risk of nonusers being exposed to bacteria
and viruses of a variety of respiratory illnesses.
(7)Â
Tobacco use in and around these recreational facilities creates a
contradictory message to young people, being encouraged and coached
by adults to engage in healthy activities, while at the same time
being exposed to adults and older youth using tobacco products which
cause adverse health effects as the result of exposure to secondhand
smoke and/or spit saliva.
(8)Â
The Town hosts many recreational programs on fields and other facilities
owned by the Town.
(9)Â
Tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, and exposure to tobacco
saliva are clearly contrary to enhancing the quality of life and providing
safe environments.
B.Â
Based on the endorsements listed in § 283-1A above, the purpose of this article is to provide for the health of and protect the safety of the inhabitants of the Town by regulating, pursuant to Section 7-148(c)(7)(H)(xvi) of the Connecticut General Statutes, activities deemed to be deleterious to public health on property owned by the Town and used for recreational purposes. This article will enhance the enjoyment of all persons using said property.
As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings indicated.
Property owned by the Town and which is under the supervision
and control of the Recreation Department and used in connection with
recreational programs, including athletic facilities, parks, playgrounds,
trails and other areas where people may assemble for recreational
purposes. Recreational property shall not include school grounds.
Recreational properties at the time of the adoption of this article
are: Camp Oakdale; large and small pavilions; Conservation Trail;
Fair Oaks; and Desjardin Park.
A parcel of land or portion thereof used for school purposes
and operated by the Town of Montville Board of Education.
The lighting or carrying of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe
or similar device.
It shall be a violation of this article for:
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall
be subject to a fine of $99 for each separate offense or violation.
Any and all remedies which the Town has in enforcing this article,
at law or in equity, shall be cumulative, and two or more or all of
such remedies may be exercised at the same time.
The Recreation Department may, but is not required to post a
sign or signs on a recreational property stating such recreational
property is a tobacco-free zone to indicate that said recreational
property is subject to this article.
No provision of this article shall serve to validate any activity
otherwise prohibited by state or local law or lawfully enacted zoning
regulations.
