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Montague Township adopts ban on cannabis 'gifting,' updates flood-prevention code and approves land sale auction
Summary
The Montague Township Committee unanimously adopted three ordinances on Oct. 8, including a ban on cannabis 'gifting' with civil fines, a state-model flood damage prevention ordinance, and authorization of a township land sale scheduled for Nov. 12; a new smoke- and vape-shop ordinance was directed for drafting.
Montague Township’s governing body adopted multiple ordinances and approved administrative actions at its Oct. 8 regular meeting, the committee said.
The committee adopted Ordinance 2024-15, which prohibits the practice of retailers “gifting” usable cannabis in connection with a reciprocal transaction for other goods or services. Attorney Rossmeissl said the ordinance is intended to close a perceived loophole in New Jersey’s cannabis law and assigns enforcement to the Township’s Code Enforcement Officer, Construction Official, or Township Constable. Mayor Zitone said violations would be subject to a civil fine “not exceeding $2,000,” with continuing violations subject to a separate daily fine.
The meeting also saw adoption of Ordinance 2024-17, a state-model flood damage prevention code that designates the Township Engineer as floodplain administrator and delegates certain review duties to the Construction Official. Municipal Clerk Klinger said the measure aligns Montague with New Jersey’s model ordinance and that the state reviewed the township’s draft; the ordinance will be used in part to determine flood-insurance ratings.
Ordinance 2024-16, amending the township salary ordinance to fix compensation rates for certain employees, was approved without public comment. The committee also adopted Ordinance 2024-18 authorizing the sale of certain township-owned property and announced a land sale auction set for Nov. 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
On first reading, the committee introduced Ordinance 2024-19 to amend Chapter 56 (Stormwater Control) to comply with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Tier A stormwater requirements; Attorney Rossmeissl described the changes as largely technical and definitional following the state’s reclassification.
Votes at a glance - Minutes (Sept. 24, 2024): approved (motion: Mr. Merusi; second: Mr. LeDonne). Roll call: Innella, LeDonne, Merusi, Mayor Zitone yes; Krumpfer abstained. - Vouchers: approved unanimously (motion: Mr. Merusi; second: Mr. Innella). - Ordinance 2024-19 (Stormwater): introduced on first reading (motion: Mr. Krumpfer; second: Mr. LeDonne). - Ordinance 2024-15 (Cannabis gifting ban): adopted unanimously (motion to adopt: Mr. Innella; second: Mr. LeDonne). - Ordinance 2024-16 (Salary amendment): adopted unanimously (motion: Mr. Merusi; second: Mr. LeDonne). - Ordinance 2024-17 (Flood damage prevention): adopted unanimously (motion: Mr. Innella; second: Mr. Merusi). - Ordinance 2024-18 (Sale of township property): adopted unanimously (motion: Mr. Merusi; second: Mr. Krumpfer).
The committee also approved two outside-lien redemption resolutions (2024-094 and 2024-095) and directed the attorney to draft a separate ordinance to regulate smoke and vape shops, including potential licensing and zoning restrictions. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
