November 3, 2004

NEWS RELEASE

For release at your earliest convenience

For further information, please contact Township Administrator Stephen Mountain at 543-4555

Mendham Township Considers Ordinance to Regulate Hours of Construction and Use of Power Equipment on Residential Properties

            The Mendham Township Committee will consider the adoption of an ordinance regulating the hours of construction and use of power equipment on residential property in the Township at their November 8th meeting.

The intent of the ordinance is to protect and promote the peace, tranquility, health, welfare and safety of Township residents through the regulation of hours in which construction can take place and out door power equipment is permitted.  The ordinance covers the construction, maintenance, repair, alteration or demolition of any building or structure, or the laying of any pavement, including, but not limited to, making an excavation, movement of earth, clearing of land and loading or unloading of construction material, equipment or supplies.  Restricted activities also include the operation of any power equipment, including but not limited to a power saw, hammer, sander, drill, grinder, lawn mower, leaf blower, wood-chipper, thatcher, generator, air compressor or like power equipment.

            The ordinance proposes to restrict construction and power equipment use to the following hours:

            Weekdays:                                7:00 a.m. -  8:00 p.m.

            Saturdays:                                 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

            Sunday and legal holidays:          9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

            Per the ordinance, construction and equipment use on Sundays and legal holidays may be conducted only by the owners or occupants of the residence or family members of the owners or occupants, not by contractors or employees.  The ordinance excepts from the regulations, activities confined within a wholly enclosed building, activities permitted by the Township Administrator in the interest of public health and safety, snow removal activities, activities conducted by or for a government unit or agency, emergency generator use during a power failure and the operation of a farm as permitted under the Right to Farm Act.

            Violations of the new ordinance would be enforced by the Township Police Department.  Individuals who fail to comply with the regulations established in the ordinance will be issued Notices of Violation.   Notice of Violations are answerable in municipal court and could subject violators to possible fines and/or jail time depending on the severity of the violation.

Copies of the proposed ordinance amendment are available from the Township Clerk’s Office by calling 543-4555; and will soon be on the Township’s Web site, www.mendhamtownship.org.

The Mayor and Township Committee will consider adoption of the proposed ordinance amendment November 8, 2004 .