[Ord. No. 2-82 § 1; Ord. No. 4-83 § 1; Ord. No. 23-83 § 1; Ord. No. 2-86 § 1; Ord. No. 31-87 § 1; Ord. No. 25-89 § 1; Ord. No. 9-90 § 1; Ord. No. 1-91 § 1; Ord. No. 6-92 § 1; Ord. No. 94-01 § 1; Ord. No. 95-02; Ord. No. 96-003 § 2; Ord. No. 98-007 § 2; Ord. No. 99-002 § 2; Ord. No. 99-017; Ord. No. 2001-002 § 1; Ord. No. 2002-001 § 1; Ord. No. 2003-001 § 1; Ord. No. 2004-003 § 1; Ord. No. 2006-03 § 1; Ord. No. 2007-04 § 1; Ord. No. 2007-12 § 1; Ord. No. 2008-07 § 1; Ord. No. 2012-11; Ord. No. 2012-15; Ord. No. 2013-11; Ord. No. 2013-13; Ord. No. 2014-06; Ord. No. 2015-08; Ord. No. 2016-09; Ord. No. 2017-03; Ord. No. 2018-09; 4-11-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05; 4-22-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-14; 2-8-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]
a. 
The following schedule of Colony Recreation Center Fees for Pool Membership is hereby established:
Chatham Township Resident Memberships
Minimum
Maximum
Family membership
$550
$715
Couple membership
$400
$530
Individual membership (14 years or older)
$250
$325
Babysitter/parent helper
$120
$190
Senior couple membership
$115
$280
Senior individual membership
$60
$145
Nonresident Memberships
Minimum
Maximum
Nonresident family membership
$650
$845
Nonresident couple membership
$550
$715
Nonresident individual membership (14 years or older)
$295
$410
Nonresident babysitter/parent helper
$160
$210
Nonresident senior couple membership
$125
$300
Nonresident senior individual membership
$65
$165
All
Minimum
Maximum
Patrons of the pool membership
$775
$995
Single daily guest - any age - accompanied by member
$9
$16
20 daily guest passes - any age - accompanied by member
$175
$320
No refunds will be made after opening day.
b. 
Reduced Fees for Emergency Response Organization Volunteers. Active members of the Chatham Emergency Squad, Green Village Volunteer Fire Department, and Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department, who are eligible for the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), or any active-duty Chatham Township police officer shall be entitled to the resident senior membership rate for individuals and the resident senior couple membership rate for a couple or family membership.
c. 
The Township Administrator, in consultation with the Colony Recreation Center Liaison, will set the annual fees.
d. 
The Township Administrator, in consultation with the Colony Recreation Center liaison, may authorize special promotions and offer special discounts to promote Colony Recreation Center membership, programs and events.
[Ord. No. 98-014 § 1; Ord. No. 99-005 § 1; Ord. No. 2000-002 § 1; Ord. No. 2001-003 § 1; Ord. No. 2001-011 § 1; Ord. No. 2003-002 § 1; Ord. No. 2004-002 § 1; Ord. No. 2006-12; Ord. No. 2016-11; Ord. No. 2016-12]
The following schedule of Recreation Program Fee ranges is hereby established:
Summer Recreation Playground Program
$200 for the season for the first child per family;
$275 for 2 children per family;
$325 for 3 or more children per family.
[Added 11-12-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-20]
Hours of Closing; Special Permits. No person or group of persons shall occupy or use any public park or playground or any portion thereof for any purpose between the hours of i) 7:00 p.m. to sunrise from November 1 through March 31 and ii) 9:00 p.m. to sunrise from April 1 through October 31, except upon prior application for a special permit, upon good cause shown therefor, directly to the Township Administrator. The granting of any such permit shall be at the discretion of the Township Administrator. The parks operating hours are not applicable to Township's lighted fields for the use of Township sanctioned sports or recreational activities. No sports or recreational activity shall continue beyond 10:00 p.m. Use of the Township's tennis courts and/or basketball courts shall not exceed a two-hour limit.
[Added 11-12-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-20]
On any land, park, playground, improvements and equipment owned by the Township of Chatham used for active and passive recreation activities, no person shall:
a. 
Injure, deface, displace, remove, alter, disturb, tamper with, damage or destroy any trees, shrubs, soil, grass, plant life or any structure, building, post, playground equipment, water fountain, railing, fence, bench, seat, table, platform, walkway, telephone or electric pole, wires, pipes or appurtenances or any other park or recreational equipment or facility, or any hydrant, water, storm or sewer drain, pipe, main, basin covering, manhole or any appendage or appurtenance thereof, or any sign, inscription, post or monument erected or marked for any lawful purpose; or injure or in any way interfere with the operation of any machinery or equipment used under the direction of the Township or any of its departments, agencies or officials; or deface, destroy, alter, damage or tamper with any drive, path, walk, bridge, parking area or shelter; or take up, remove or carry away any asphalt, concrete, stone, rock, wood, gravel, clay or earth or make any excavation of any kind.
b. 
Create a disturbance which constitutes a nuisance or to disturb any wildlife or commit any act of nuisance in any park, playground, public open space area or floodplain.
c. 
Take any animal into any parks or playgrounds except on a leash not longer than six feet or to permit any pet to go into any active public play area, apparatus area, athletic field or recreational enclosure or building unless said pet is participating in a Township program.
d. 
For any leagues or organizations, take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins, horseshoes, quoits or model airplanes without a permit issued by the Township of Chatham.
e. 
Play or practice golfing unless such facility is specifically designated for such activity by the Township. This prohibition excludes the use of plastic "practice" wiffle golf balls outside any active public play area, apparatus area, athletic field or recreational enclosure or building.
f. 
Engage in fighting or violent behavior.
g. 
Spit, urinate or defecate except in designated rest rooms and washroom facilities. Every person using the rest rooms and washrooms shall cooperate to maintain them in a neat and sanitary condition.
h. 
Litter and dispose of any trash or garbage on any athletic field, park or playground. This also prohibits littering of ponds, lake, streams or other bodies of water in or adjacent to any park with any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of the waters. All litter shall be deposited in the receptacles provided.
i. 
Exhibit public nudity or public indecency.
j. 
Use threatening or obscene language.
k. 
Alter or adjust any fence, play surface, or piece of gym equipment (including but not limited to playground equipment or basketball rims) without the prior written approval of the Township of Chatham.
l. 
Vaping, Smoking (as such term is defined in the Township Code, Chapter 3, Section 11, Smoking Regulations, subsection 3-11.1, Smoking Prohibited), or possess or consume an alcoholic beverage, or illegal drugs.
m. 
Carry or possess firearms of any kind, including air rifles, spring guns, paintball guns, bow and arrow or sling shots, or any other form of weapons that pose a danger to human or wildlife safety. Hunting and trapping is also prohibited.
n. 
Build fires or grill, except in designated areas where grills are made available for use by reservation through the Township of Chatham.
o. 
Possess any type of glass container.
p. 
Use any type of artificial illumination for any Township field or recreation facility without the prior approval of the Township of Chatham.
q. 
Use of radios, stereos or any type of amplified sound without the prior approval of the Township of Chatham.
r. 
Operate or utilize skateboards, roller skates, bicycles, scooters, or any type of motorized vehicle except on driveways or parking lots without the prior approval of the Township of Chatham.
s. 
For-profit entities are strictly prohibited from using the Township's fields, basketball courts and tennis courts without a permit issued by the Township of Chatham.
t. 
Posting of any sign.
u. 
Solicit, sell or offer for sale any goods without a permit issued by the Township of Chatham.
v. 
No food or beverages other than water are allowed inside the tennis courts.
[Added 11-12-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-20]
Exceptions will be considered in subsection 20-3.3 only when requested in advance, in writing, upon good cause shown, to the Township Administrator. A permit to do any act shall authorize the same only insofar as it may be performed in strict accordance with the terms and conditions thereof. Any violation by its holder or the holder's agents or employees of any terms or conditions thereof shall constitute grounds for its revocation by the Township Administrator or his/her authorized representative, whose action therein shall be final. The holder of such permit, together with the holder's agents and employees, who violates such terms and conditions, shall be jointly and severally liable to the Township for all damages and loss sustained by the Township. Neither the recovery or collection of such damage shall in any manner relieve such holder or person from liability to punishment for any violation of any provision of this section.
[Ord. No. 2007-21 § 1]
The Township of Chatham and the Borough of Chatham have established a joint recreation program. The Township and the Borough have determined that it is in the best interest of the residents of the Township and the Borough and the participants in the joint recreation program that all volunteers and employees who wish to participate in the program undergo criminal background checks prior to said participation. It is the intention of the Township and the Borough to adopt identical ordinances to accomplish this goal.
[Ord. No. 2007-21 § 1]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CO-SPONSORED PROGRAM
Shall mean any program, including but not limited to nonprofit youth-serving organizations as defined below, which receives benefits, either directly or indirectly, including but not limited to the provision of funding and/or the provision of fields, facilities and/or equipment (and including the maintenance of same), from the Township of Chatham and/or the Borough of Chatham.
COAH
Shall mean a person, whether paid or volunteer, involved with coaching or supervising participants in a nonprofit youth-serving organization, whether the title is coach, manager or another title consistent with these terms.
CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD BACKGROUND CHECK
Shall mean a determination of whether a person has a criminal record by cross-referencing that person's name and fingerprints with those on file with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Identification Division and the State Bureau of Identification in the Division of State Police.
EMPLOYEES
Shall mean all full-time, part-time and seasonal employees of the Chatham Township Recreation Department or the Borough of Chatham Recreation Department.
NONPROFIT YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS
Shall mean a corporation, association or other organization established pursuant to Title 15 of the Revised Statutes, Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes or other law of the State, but excluding public and nonpublic schools, and which provides recreational, cultural, charitable, social or other activities or services for persons younger than 18 years of age, and is exempt from Federal income taxes.
REVIEW COMMITTEE
Shall mean a four-member committee consisting of the Chatham Township Administrator or designee, the Chatham Borough Administrator or designee, and Chiefs of Police or designees of the Township of Chatham and the Borough of Chatham, respectively. The Committee shall be charged with the review of all appeals of any Township or Borough employee or volunteer whose criminal history background check reveals a disqualifying criminal conviction.
SPONSORED PROGRAM
Shall mean recreation programs run directly and jointly by the Township of Chatham and the Borough of Chatham, including oversight, control and/or fiscal contribution.
STATE BUREAU OF IDENTIFICATION
Shall mean the entity located within the New Jersey State Police responsible for retrieving criminal background information on individuals as requested by State, local or private entities.
VOLUNTEER REVIEW OPERATION (VRO)
Shall mean the unit located within the State Bureau of Identification that is responsible for administering criminal background checks for volunteer coaches as specified in this chapter.
[Ord. No. 2007-21 § 1]
a. 
The Township of Chatham and the Borough of Chatham require that all coaches of nonprofit youth-serving organizations involved in sponsored or cosponsored programs request through the Chatham Township Recreation Department or the Borough of Chatham Recreation Department, as determined by the municipality of residence, that the State Bureau of Identification and the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") conduct a criminal history record background check on each prospective and current coach of nonprofit youth-serving organizations in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq. and with the procedures and guidelines adopted by the VRO. No person will be permitted to act as a coach until the results of the background checks have been received and reviewed by the Administrator of the Township of Chatham or the Borough of Chatham, respectively.
b. 
The Township and the Borough shall conduct a criminal history record background check only upon receipt of the written consent for a check from the prospective or current volunteer coach.
c. 
Any prospective or current coach of a nonprofit youth-serving organization who refuses to consent to this procedure shall not be permitted to participate in any sponsored or cosponsored programs involving nonprofit youth-serving organizations.
d. 
The Township and the Borough shall bear the costs associated with conducting criminal history record background checks for prospective or current coaches for sponsored programs, and all other nonprofit youth-serving organizations shall bear the costs for conducting checks for prospective or current coaches participating in cosponsored programs in accordance with the regulations established by the VRO. Said costs shall be paid out of the Joint Recreation Trust Account.
e. 
The Administrators of the Township and the Borough may set forth policies and procedures which shall not be inconsistent with this section.
f. 
The VRO shall advise the respective Administrator of the eligibility of the prospective or current coach under the law. Any information received by the Recreation Director shall be confidential.
g. 
Criminal history background checks will be performed for individuals under the age of 18 in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:59-1.1 et seq. and with the procedures and guidelines adopted by the VRO.
[Ord. No. 2007-21 § 1]
a. 
A person may be disqualified from serving as a coach of a nonprofit youth-serving organization if that person's criminal history record background check reveals a disqualifying record in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-1 et seq.
b. 
In any other State or jurisdiction, conduct which, if committed in New Jersey, would constitute a disqualifying record in accordance with N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-1 et seq. may also constitute grounds for disqualification.
[Ord. No. 2007-21 § 1; Ord. No. 2011-05 § 1]
a. 
Prospective or current coaches of nonprofit youth-serving organizations for cosponsored programs shall submit their names, addresses, fingerprints, written consent, and any other necessary information to the organization for the criminal history record background check to be performed. The organization shall submit this documentation to the respective Recreation Director, who shall coordinate the background check and refer the information to the State Bureau of Investigation for the background check. The respective Recreation Director or designee shall be responsible for obtaining the above information for all prospective and current volunteer coaches, who reside within their respective municipality, for all nonprofit youth-serving organizations, both sponsored and cosponsored programs. Thereafter, the Township and the Borough shall conduct periodic background checks after the date of the initial background check, but not less frequently than every 60 months.
b. 
The Administrators of the Township and the Borough shall be responsible for the maintenance of all records generated as a result of conducting criminal history record background checks pursuant to this section.
[Ord. No. 2007-21 § 1]
a. 
Access to criminal history record information for noncriminal justice purposes, including licensing and employment, is restricted to the members of the Review Committee, as authorized by Federal or State statute, rule or regulations, executive order, administrative code, local ordinance or resolution regarding obtaining and disseminating of criminal history record information obtained under this section.
b. 
The Review Committee shall limit its use of criminal history record information solely to the authorized person for which it was obtained, and criminal history record information furnished shall not be disseminated to persons or organizations not authorized to receive the records for authorized purposes. Use of this record shall be limited solely to the authorized purpose for which it was given, and it shall not be disseminated to any unauthorized persons. Any person violating Federal or State regulations governing access to criminal history record information may be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties.
[Ord. No. 2007-21 § 1]
a. 
The VRO shall make a recommendation based on the provisions of N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-1 et seq. as to whether the prospective or current volunteer coach is being recommended. The VRO will provide the Administrator of the respective municipality with a letter of recommendation or nonrecommendation for each individual for whom the VRO completed a background check.
b. 
The Administrator shall promptly notify a prospective or current coach who receives a letter of non-recommendation from the VRO. Individuals who receive a letter of nonrecommendation from the VRO will not be permitted to participate as a coach. Such individuals may obtain a copy of their criminal history record by contacting the VRO in writing. The individuals shall then have 30 days from the receipt of notification from the Administrator to petition the Review Committee for a review and to cite reasons substantiating the review.
c. 
Individuals who receive a letter of nonrecommendation from the VRO may be permitted to serve as a coach if they affirmatively demonstrate rehabilitation to the Review Committee. In determining whether a person has affirmatively demonstrated clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation, the Review Committee may consider the following factors in conjunction with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 15A:3A-1 et seq.:
1. 
The nature and responsibility of the position which the convicted person would hold or has held, as the case may be;
2. 
The nature and seriousness of the offense;
3. 
The circumstance under which the offense occurred;
4. 
The date of the offense;
5. 
The age of the person when the offense was committed;
6. 
Whether the offense was an isolated or repeated incident;
7. 
Any social conditions which may have contributed to the offense; and
8. 
Any evidence of rehabilitation, including good conduct in prison or the community, counseling or psychiatric treatment received, acquisition of additional academic or vocational schooling, successful participation in correctional work release programs or the recommendation of those who have had the person under their supervision.
d. 
In all instances, the final determination of whether an individual will be permitted to serve as a coach will lie in the sole discretion of the Review Committee, whose vote must be unanimous.
e. 
The Review Committee shall promptly advise the prospective or current coach whether he or she is qualified to serve as a coach.
f. 
When the Administrator receives a letter of nonrecommendation from the VRO, the Administrator may file that letter with the Police Departments of Chatham Township and Chatham Borough.
g. 
The Chatham Township Police Department shall keep the written notification on file for three years from the date it was issued.
h. 
The Administrator may request the applicable Police Department to review its files to determine if there is written notification on file stating whether a criminal history record background check of a current or prospective coach reveals a disqualifying offense or stating that the person has affirmatively demonstrated rehabilitation under this act.
[Added 6-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
The Chatham Township Committee hereby finds and declares that it shall be the policy of Chatham Township to eliminate toxic pesticide use on all municipal recreational areas to promote a healthy environment, protect the public from the hazards of pesticides, and for implementation of sustainable land use.
[Added 6-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALLOWED MATERIALS LIST
The Township must include in the regulations adopted under this section a list of acceptable pesticides, known as the allowed materials list. The list is limited to: all nonsynthetic (natural) materials, with the exception of prohibited nonsynthetic materials under 7 CFR 205.602; any synthetic material listed at 7 CFR 205.601 that is labeled for turf uses, subject to discretionary authority to require disclosure of inert ingredients; and 25b listed pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
EMERGENCY
An urgent need to mitigate or eliminate a pest that threatens public health or safety.
INERT INGREDIENT
Any substance [or group of substances with similar chemical structures if designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)] other than an active ingredient which is intentionally included in any pesticide product [40 CFR 152.3(m)] (7 CFR 205.2 Terms defined) and are not classified by the Administrator of EPA as inerts of toxicological concern. [7 U.S.C. 6502(21) Definitions.]
LAWN
An area of land, except agricultural land, that is mostly covered by grass, grass, other similar herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees; and kept trim by mowing or cutting.
NOFA
NOFA Organic Land Care is an extension of NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) that sets policy, provides outreach and education on organic agricultural practices. NOFA Land Care extends the vision and principals of organic agriculture to the care of landscapes. A NOFA Organic Land Care certified landscaper must comply with the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care.
NONSYNTHETIC (NATURAL) MATERIALS
A substance that is derived from mineral, plant, or animal matter and does not undergo a synthetic process as defined in Section 6502(21) of the Organic Foods Production Act [7 U.S.C. 6502(21)]. For the purposes of this part, nonsynthetic is used as a synonym for natural as the term is used in the ordinance. (7 CFR 205.2 Terms defined.)
PESTICIDE
Any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest; use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant; or use as a spray adjuvant such as a wetting agent or adhesive. The term 'pesticide' does not include cleaning products, other than those that contain pesticidal agents.
POSTING OF SIGNS
If applying a pesticide under this section, the certified commercial applicator shall post a sign warning of the application of the pesticide — in a prominent place that is in or adjacent to the location to be treated; and at each entrance to the ground to be treated. A sign required for the application of a pesticide shall remain posted for at least 72 hours after the end of the treatment; be at least 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches.
RECREATIONAL AREAS
Municipal land that is designated for recreational activities including lawns, playgrounds, sports fields, pool areas and any other land where recreational activities occur and are controlled, managed, leased or owned by Chatham Township.
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE
A program that:
a. 
Uses effective mowing, watering and fertilizing practices that provide a healthy soil, other nonchemical methods, and if nontoxic options are unreasonable or have been exhausted, a pesticide on the allowed materials list; and
b. 
Minimizes the use of toxic pesticides and the hazards to human health and the environment associated with pesticide applications.
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
The term "synthetic" means a substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources, except that such term shall not apply to substances created by naturally occurring biological processes. [7 U.S.C. 6502(21) Definitions.]
USE OF PESTICIDES
The Township shall only use pesticides on the allowed materials list as part of sustainable land use practices. A pesticide not on the allowed materials list may only be used as a last resort in a quantity and in a timeframe approved by the Township which may grant a temporary waiver on a case-by-case basis after an evaluation of all alternative methods and materials (e.g. poison ivy). Pesticides are only to be applied by certified commercial applicators that are NOFA certified.
[Added 6-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-15]
It is the policy of the Township to take the following preventive measures to maintain optimal turf conditions on municipal recreational areas:
a. 
To maintain healthy soil, soil sampling and analysis will be conducted to evaluate and assess the level of care needed for the facility's turf and landscape.
b. 
Well-adapted, pest-resistant grass varieties that are more suitable for Chatham Township's climate will be planted.
c. 
Lawn aeration will be scheduled at least once a year.
d. 
A proper pH for the soils will be maintained.
e. 
The soil should be tested to adjust the pH if needed.
f. 
Annual fall fertilizer applications will be scheduled and carried out. Only slow-release fertilizer formulations will be used.
g. 
Approved soil amendments will be applied as necessitated by soil test results. Following, but not limited to, the recommendations of the Northeast Organic Farmers' Association and/or the Organic Material Review Institute.
h. 
Outdoor management practices will be modified to comply with organic horticultural science, including scouting, monitoring, watering, pruning,
i. 
Proper spacing and mulching.
j. 
Practices will include the use of physical controls, including over-seeding.