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Maplewood adopts ordinance creating 'restricted areas' on municipal property
Summary
Ordinance 4010‑26 creating designated restricted areas on municipal property to limit access to authorized personnel passed unanimously. The measure clarifies the definition of 'invitee' and aims to protect staff, visitors and confidential government records.
The Maplewood Township Committee on July 7 adopted Ordinance 4010‑26 to add a new ‘restricted areas’ article to the township code, allowing municipal departments to designate portions of municipal buildings and property as accessible only to authorized personnel and their invitees.
Township attorney Jennifer Cardidio said the ordinance works together with the Immigrant Trust Act adopted the same night, and clarified that an “invitee” means a person accompanied by an employee of the municipality and present with permission. She said the ordinance is intended to protect staff, confidential records and ensure safe and efficient department operations.
Resident Stanley Varen asked whether ordinary uses of town facilities — for example, visiting the library — would be affected. Cardidio and staff explained that the ordinance targets private staff offices and storage areas, not general public spaces such as the library’s public areas; residents accompanying staff into a restricted area would be considered invitees.
A committee member moved to adopt the ordinance and directed the clerk to post required notices on the township website and bulletin board. The motion passed on a roll call vote with all members recorded as yes.
The ordinance was published and will be posted in accordance with legal requirements. The committee said it expects the code change to help staff manage access to municipal spaces while continuing to provide public services.
