Borough Will Likely Attempt to Crack Down on Smoking in Parks

The borough may look to discourage smoking in public recreation areas by adopting a law that would allow officials to fine people who are caught.

Board of Health President Lisa DeRosa came before the Borough Council at its meeting Monday night to discuss the proposed law. As it currently reads, the law would prohibit smoking in borough playgrounds and parks and around Borough Hall and The Library of the Chathams.

Those who are caught could face a $100 fine and could be required to do community service.

The law has not yet been adopted. But DeRosa and Councilman John Holman, who is on the Board of Health, said first-time violaters would likely not be fined. It would be more likely for them to receive a warning first.

"It's a goodwill ordinance," said Holman. "It's not a witch hunt ordinance."

He said signage documenting the law would be placed around the affected areas.

DeRosa said she hoped the law, if adopted, would discourage young people from taking up smoking. About 90 percent of smokers, she said, start as teens.

"We just want to send a message that it's not OK to smoke," she said.

Council President James Collander said he wants to get input from the borough's police department on how such a law would be enforced. With recent department cuts, he said, police officers are "not numerous."

Borough Adminstrator Robert Falzarano said the enforcement would likely fall under the police department's jurisdiction, but said the department would probably not be called to the scene unless there was a persistent problem.

DeRosa said she hopes the township will also adopt a similar law, and Councilman James Lonergan said that it might have to, given that the two towns' recreation departments have now merged.

The law will be discussed further once the borough gets more input from the police department.