Ordinance No. 12-07

Introduced: April 19, 2007
Public Hearing: May 3, 2007
Status: Adopted

An ordinance supplementing Chapter 50, Water and Sewers, of the Revised Ordinances of the Township of Randolph, Morris County, New Jersey, Requiring Water Conservation Measures for All Properties Served by Public Water Systems

WHEREAS, the Township of Randolph is provided a contractual water allocation by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA); and

WHEREAS, the amount of water purchased and consumed through the Randolph water system is well within the allocation provided by the MCMUA during the Fall, Winter and Spring months; and

WHEREAS, in the summer months and particularly during periods of drought, the Township of Randolph experiences record high levels of water consumption referred to as spikes in consumption levels; and

WHEREAS, the principal reason for high levels of water use during the summer months is the inefficient and at times wasteful over watering of lawns; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Randolph recognize that potable water is a valuable resource that must be conserved and consumed with appropriate care; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of a Water Conservation Ordinance is in the interest of the citizens of the Township of Randolph.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Governing Body of the Township of Randolph, County of Morris, State of New Jersey as follows:

SECTION ONE. Chapter 50, Water and Sewers, of the Revised Ordinances of the Township of Randolph, Morris County, New Jersey, shall be supplemented to add Section 50-31, Conservation of Water, which shall read as follows:

50-31. Conservation of Water.

(a) From May 1 through September 30 each year, residential lawn watering shall be permitted as follows for properties served by public water:

(1) Watering of properties having even numbered street addresses shall be permitted on the even numbered days of the month.

(2) Watering of properties having odd numbered street addresses shall be permitted on the odd numbered days of the month.

(3) No watering shall be permitted on the 31st day of the month.

(4) These restrictions shall apply only to properties which receive water provided by the Township of Randolph and the Town of Dover.

(5) Watering on the above dates shall be permitted during the hours from 5 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 9 pm only.

(b) These limitations shall not apply to:

(1) Newly installed sod or seed for a period of two weeks from notice of installation to the Engineering Department of Randolph Township.

(c) The water use limitations imposed pursuant to this ordinance shall be enforced by local authorized officials, including but not limited to, the health department and/or the police department, all of whom are empowered to write summonses for a violation of the water use limitations.

(d) Violations of this ordinance shall be subject to the penalties set forth below:

(1) First Offense $200

(2) Second Offense $500

(3) Third and subsequent offenses to be determined by the Municipal Judge.

(e) In the event the Township Council declares that a water conservation emergency exists due to a prolonged scarcity of water from any cause, the Township reserves the right upon public notice to restrict certain uses of water above and beyond the limitations contained herein. Said public notice shall be posted in the Township Municipal Building and published at least once in a newspaper circulating within the Township. No person during the existence of a water conservation emergency so duly declared with public notice shall use water in violation of the terms of said water conservation emergency restrictions.

(f) In the event of more stringent water conservation measures imposed by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority or an agency or department of the State of New Jersey, every person shall be bound by and must comply with said restrictions.

SECTION TWO. All ordinances of the Township of Randolph which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed as to the extent of the inconsistency.

SECTION THREE. If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid by any Court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not effect the remaining portion of this Ordinance.

SECTION FOUR. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law.

ATTEST

_____________________________
Donna Marie Luciani, Township Clerk

TOWNSHIP OF RANDOLPH

_____________________________
Michael Obremski, Mayor

CERTIFICATION

I, Donna Marie Luciani, Township Clerk, Township of Randolph, County of Morris, State of New Jersey, do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of an Ordinance introduced, read by title, and passed on first reading at a regular meeting of the Randolph Township Council held on April 19, 2007 and adopted by the Governing Body at a regular meeting of the Township held on May 3, 2007.

_____________________________
Donna Marie Luciani, Township Clerk

LEGAL NOTICE
TOWNSHIP OF RANDOLPH, COUNTY OF MORRIS
ORDINANCE NO. 12-07

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Supplementing Chapter 50, Water and Sewers, of the Revised Ordinances of the Township of Randolph, Morris County, New Jersey, Requiring Water Conservation Measures for All Properties Served by Public Water Systems” was submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Township of Randolph, County of Morris, State of New Jersey, held on April 19, 2007 and was introduced, read by title and passed on first reading. A Statement of Purpose of the Ordinance is contained below. The Governing Body of the Township of Randolph will further consider the Ordinance for second reading and final passage thereof at their regular meeting to be held on May 3, 2007 at 8 p.m. prevailing time, at the Municipal Building, 502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph, New Jersey 07869, at which time and place a public hearing will be heard thereon by the Governing Body and all parties in interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning said Ordinance.

Statement of Purpose of Ordinance

The purpose of this Ordinance is to impose restrictions on residential lawn watering during the summer months in an effort to conserve and protect the Township’s water supply.

A copy of the full Ordinance is available to any member of the general public, without cost, at the Township of Randolph, Municipal Building, Millbrook Avenue, Randolph, New Jersey, at the Office of the Township Clerk, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

_____________________________
Donna Marie Luciani, Township Clerk
Township of Randolph
County of Morris, State of New Jersey