The purpose of this article is to prohibit the
feeding of unconfined wildlife in any public park or on any other
property owned by the Township of Readington, so as to protect the
public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Township
of Readington, and to protect against water pollution and environmental
degradation in accordance with the Township's stormwater management
plan and the New Jersey State Stormwater Rules promulgated by the
Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant to the New Jersey
Water Pollution Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10a-1 et seq.), and to prescribe
penalties for failure to comply.
For the purpose of this article, the following
terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings
stated herein, unless their use in the text of this article clearly
demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context,
words used in the present tense include the future, words used in
the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the
singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always
mandatory and not merely directory.
FEED
To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any
edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing
wildlife. "Feed" does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish
and/or game.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm,
association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal
jurisdiction.
WILDLIFE
All animals that are neither human nor domesticated.
No person shall feed, in any public park or
on any other property owned or operated by the Township of Readington,
any wildlife, excluding confined wildlife (for example, wildlife confined
in zoos, parks or rehabilitation centers, or unconfined wildlife at
environmental education centers, or feral cats as part of an approved
trap-neuter-release program).
This article shall be enforced by the Police
Department or other public officer as may be appointed or directed
by the Township Committee of the Township of Readington.
Any person who violates the provisions of this
article shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not exceeding
$500. Each day a violation continues after the time required for the
abatement thereof shall constitute a separate offense.