[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee (now Township Council) of the Township of Hillside as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Bowling and Skee-Ball alleys and poolrooms — See Ch. 117.
Games of chance — See Ch. 164.
Licenses — See Ch. 203.
Loitering — See Ch. 210.
Vending machines — See Ch. 295.
Food and beverage vending machines — See Ch. 322.
[Adopted 12-21-1971 as Ch. VII, Sec. 7-7, of the 1971 Code]
All electrically operated devices for the amusement of children of the type commonly known and designated as "kiddie rides" or similar machines or devices shall not be placed, operated, maintained or used within the Township without first obtaining a license for each machine or device.
All applications shall be accompanied by an insurance policy of a company licensed under the laws of this state for the period of the permit in the sum of $100,000 to $300,000 against loss by reason of liability imposed by law upon the owner thereof for damages on account of bodily injuries suffered by any rider on such machine or device as a result of an accident occurring thereon. The policy shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury arising as aforesaid. The insurance policy may cover more than one machine or device but shall specifically identify each machine or device covered. The license shall not be issued if the application is not filed according to the terms of this Article.
In order to warrant the issuance of a license, the machine or device shall carry the approval seal of Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) and each machine or device shall be inspected once during each year by the Hillside Combustible Bureau or more often if deemed necessary by the Bureau. Each machine or device shall comply with the following requirements, which are deemed to be necessary for the protection of the public:
A. 
Branch circuit wiring to receptacle shall be three No. 12 gauge conductors, one of which shall be connected to a cold-water pipe.
B. 
The receptacle and plug shall be polarized.
C. 
The flexible cord shall be three-conductor, No. 14 gauge of heavy-duty type, equipped with cord grip fittings, and shall not be of undue length.
D. 
The flexible cord shall be connected to the ride by means of a cord connector.
E. 
Grounding conductor, grounding all metal parts of ride, shall be No. 14 gauge.
F. 
Internal wiring shall be No. 16 gauge.
G. 
Wiring for lights shall be installed in metallic raceway.
H. 
Bushings shall be provided for coin box feed.
I. 
Wiring shall be protected from mechanical injury.
J. 
Cord connectors shall be used on all boxes.
K. 
On and off switches shall have approved metal base.
L. 
Open-type cleat sockets are not permitted.
M. 
Fiber plates shall be installed on lights.
N. 
Amplifier equipment shall be installed in metal box.
O. 
All controls, contractors, transformers and connection blocks shall be installed in metal boxes.
P. 
Motors exceeding six amperes shall be installed on separate circuits.
Q. 
Micro switch shall be installed in metal box.
R. 
All exposed dead and unused wires and fittings shall be removed.
S. 
Each unit shall be numbered on the outside in a conspicuous location.
The fee for the issuance of a license for each machine or device shall be $50.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000; imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days; and/or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.
[12-21-1971 as Ch. VII, Sec. 7-14, of the 1971 Code]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
JUKE BOX
Any music vending machine, contrivance or device which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate, disc or key into any slot, crevice or other opening or by the payment of any price, operates or may be operated for the emission of songs, music or similar amusement.
MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any machine which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate or disc, may be operated by the public generally for use as a game, entertainment or amusement, whether or not registering a score. It shall include such devices as marble machines, pinball machines, skill ball, mechanical grab or transactions similar thereto under whatever name they may be indicated.
OPERATOR
Any person in whose place of business any juke box or mechanical amusement device is displayed for public patronage or is placed or kept for operation by the public.
A. 
Operators. No operator shall display for public patronage or keep for operation any juke box or mechanical amusement device without first having obtained an operator's license.
B. 
Exemptions. This Article shall not apply to any church or bona fide veterans', charitable, educational, religious, civic or fraternal organization, provided that the organization is organized on a nonprofit basis and does not have a plenary retail consumption license issued by any alcoholic beverage control board.
[Amended 12-20-1983 by Ord. No. G-233-83; 12-22-1987 by Ord. No. G-278-87]
In addition to the requirements of Chapter 203, Licenses, § 203-2, the application shall provide the following information:
A. 
The place where each machine or device is to be displayed or operated and the business conducted at that place.
B. 
Prior addresses of the applicant during the five years immediately preceding the date of the application.
C. 
The names and addresses of employers of the applicant during the five years immediately preceding the date of the application or, if self-employed, describe the same.
D. 
Two personal references.
E. 
A set of fingerprints of the applicant to be checked by New Jersey State Police for criminal history. The license may be issued pending results of print check after a local check is made.
[Amended 12-1-1981 by Ord. No. G-204-81; 12-20-1983 by Ord. No. G-233-83; 12-22-1987 by Ord. No. G-278-87]
The annual fees for licenses required by this Article shall be as follows: $200 for the first machine licensed and $100 for each additional machine licensed thereafter which will be operated at the same location; these fees shall be paid in certified check, bank check or cash. There shall be an application fee of $25 for each proposed location of one or more devices. This fee shall be paid in certified check, bank check or cash and shall be nonrefundable, regardless of whether or not the license or licenses is/are granted.
[Amended 12-20-1983 by Ord. No. G-233-83; 12-22-1987 by Ord. No. G-278-87]
A. 
No device required to be licensed under this Article shall be so placed in any premises as to interfere with or obstruct any entrance or exit or to create a fire or safety hazard. No operator shall permit any device required to be licensed under this Article to be positioned with less than 24 square feet of floor space for each such device. No operator shall permit any more than four players or bystanders at any one such device at any time.
B. 
No device required to be licensed under this Article shall be placed, operated, maintained or used on the premises in any back or adjoining room behind closed or barred doors. No device shall be located in a position where it is not visible from the street. No operator shall provide illumination in the area where such devices are located of less than 10 lumens per square foot. The rules prescribed in this subsection shall not apply to devices licensed prior to January 8, 1984.
C. 
No operator shall permit any device required to be licensed under this Article to be used for the purpose of gambling, nor shall any operator offer or permit to be offered any prizes or awards, whether in cash or otherwise, as an inducement to using or playing such devices.
D. 
No operator shall knowingly permit any person convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude to be associated with him in the ownership or management of the business or to be in his employ.
E. 
No operator shall permit a minor of school age to operate any devices required to be licensed under this Article or remain in the area where such devices are located during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on days when schools are in regular session unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No operator shall permit any minor under the age of 13 to remain in the area where such devices are located after 6:00 p.m. No operator shall permit any minor under the age of 18 to remain in such area after 11:00 p.m. Each operator shall provide a separate playing area for minors between the ages of six and 12 and a separate playing area for minors between the ages of 13 and 18. The rules prescribed in this subsection shall not apply to devices licensed prior to January 8, 1984.
F. 
Each operator shall provide adult supervision in the area where devices required to be licensed under this Article are located, to include at least one adult for every 20 such devices located on the premises. No operator shall permit any activity which is illegal.
G. 
Each operator who operates at least 10 devices required to be licenses under this Article at a single location shall provide one off-street parking space for each such device located in the premises.
H. 
Any establishment which seeks to place on its premises mechanical amusement devices totaling more than five must receive the approval of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
[Amended 1-2-1992 by Ord. No. G-315-92]
If the Police Chief has reason to believe any mechanical amusement device is being used as a gambling device, such machine may be seized by the police and impounded; and if, upon trial of the operator for allowing it to be used as a gambling device, the operator is found guilty, such machine shall be destroyed by the police. Revocation and seizure shall be in addition to all other penalties.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this Article shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000; imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days; and/or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.