[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Northfield 3-12-2024 by Ord. No. 3-2024. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
Purpose. While the general public may be permitted to access municipal buildings during regular business hours, the intent of this chapter is to safeguard public records that may contain confidential or protected information or may be exempt from disclosure under the Open Public Records Act[1] or other applicable laws, as well as other City assets, and personal belongings, and to ensure a safe workplace by restricting access to workstations and work areas where such records, assets and personal belongings are maintained.
[1]
Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et.seq.
B. 
Restricted areas. Certain municipal office areas in City Hall, the Fire Department and the Police Department, all located at 1600 Shore Road, and the Department of Public Works offices, located at 775 West Mill Road, Northfield NJ, have been secured and are closed to the public for the purposes set forth in this section, including protecting documents, digital data and other written, copied or printed materials that may contain confidential information that is protected by the federal, state or local laws, as well as other City assets and personal belongings. These areas include, but are not limited to, the following locations:
Office of the Mayor
Finance Office
Municipal Clerk's Office
Construction/Building Department
Mail and Supply Rooms
Server Room
Tax Assessor Office
Tax Collector Office
Vault and Storage Areas
Utility Closets
Ambulance Quarters
Department of Public Works
Fire Department Administration Office
Police Department (except for lobby area)
All Basement Areas
The City of Northfield shall post signage outside of restricted areas and offices that read, "Authorized Personnel Only" or "Private" or such other language, in the sole and absolute discretion of the City of Northfield, as needed to achieve the level of safety and security needed to permit the City of Northfield to maintain and safeguard public records or other City assets or personal belongings that consist of or contain information deemed confidential or protected pursuant to any federal, state or local law.
Any unauthorized person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to either an ordinance violation up to the maximum penalties provided in Part 1, General Legislation, Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-15, General penalty, of this Code, at the discretion of the municipal court judge, or criminal prosecution under N.J.S.A. 2C-18-3.