Officials outline where residents are allowed to fly unmanned aircraft
An ordinance regarding drones and unmanned aircraft was passed at the latest Monroe Township Council meeting.
The ordinance outlines when and where residents can and cannot fly drones and unmanned aircraft.
The ordinance prohibits flying drones or unmanned aircraft less than 400 feet above ground level in areas that have been designated “no fly zones.” It is also unlawful to fly a drone or unmanned aircraft on school grounds. Residents cannot attach firearms, weapons, pyrotechnics or explosives to drones or unmanned aircraft.
Any person who violates the ordinance is subject to a fine of $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for the third offense and any subsequent offense.
Residents are encouraged to fly drones on their private property. If they wish to fly them on public property, like a park, they should contact the township to seek permission.
In other news:
- Council passed a resolution to execute a lease agreement between Monroe Township and the Board of Chosen Freeholders in Gloucester County for the 2019 nutrition project at the Pfeiffer Center. According to the resolution, the nutrition project will provide nourishment for qualified individuals from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a maximum of 245 days per year to accommodate a maximum of 100 people. The lease will run from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2019.
- Council also passed a resolution to execute a grant application on behalf of the municipal alliance for fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. The grant, which comes in three parts, will total $51,000. The first part includes funds from the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction that total $25,500. The second part is a cash match that, per the resolution, must be 25 percent of the DEDR allocation. The cash match is $6,375. The third part is an in-kind match that must be 75 percent of the DEDR allocation. This is worth $19,125.
- The next meeting will take place on Oct. 8 at the municipal building. The work session begins at 7 p.m. in the caucus room, while the regular meeting starts at 8 p.m. Both sessions are open to the public.
