LARGE GATHERINGS LAW

Town of Candor

Local Law #1 of 2003

LARGE GATHERINGS LAW

SECTION 1.0 PURPOSE

This local law addresses the regulation and licensing of public meetings or gatherings of 750 or more people at any given time and at any given site. The intent of this law is to help ensure the safety and health of both those attending and those who live in the vicinity and to minimize adverse environmental impacts. This law addresses the following areas:

1. Sanitation and Sanitary facilities
   
   
2. Water supply
   
   
3. Food service
   
   
4. Garbage and Refuse collection and disposal
   
   
5. Hospital, Medical, Nursing, and Ambulance services
   
   
6. Policing and Traffic control
   
   
7. Parking facilities and control
   
   
8. Communications and Power systems
   
   
9. Insurance
   
   

SECTION 2.0 DEFINITIONS

Site - The area used for the event.

SECTION 3.0 PROCEDURE

Written application for a permit for meetings or gatherings shall be made to the Town Clerk. Two copies of the application and supporting papers must be submitted 60 or more days prior to the first day of the event. The Town Code Enforcement Officer will review the permit application and make recommendations to the Town Board to grant or deny a permit within 30 days of the receipt of the application by written response to the applicant.

SECTION 4.0 APPLICATION CONTENTS

The application for a permit shall be made on a form/s prescribed by the Code Enforcement Officer as approved by the Town Board and contain the following information:

4.1 The name, residence, mailing address, telephone number, and E Mail address of the applicant if applicable and of other persons involved in organizing the event.

4.2 The location of the event, a description of the property where the event is proposed, and the name, address, telephone number of owner/s if different than the applicant.

4.3 Schedule for the event ( date/s and hours ).

4.4 The program and plans for the event with emphasis' on the following:

1. 4.4.1 Written notification to the local fire authority having jurisdiction over the area stating plans for the event. No storage of flammable or volatile liquids or materials on or adjacent to the site unless the local fire authority is made aware of them.
   
   
2. 4.4.2 Written notification to local police authorities having jurisdiction over the area stating details of the plans for the event.
   
   
3. 4.4.3 Written notification to a local ambulance service stating plans for the event.
   
   
4. 4.4.4 Written agreement from the owner or lessee of the property authorizing the event on the property.
   
   
5. 4.4.5 A copy of the policy purchased to provide public liability and property damage insurance. The policy shall provide both personal injury and property damage and be written on an "occurrence" basis in an amount of at least $1,000,000 for each occurrence and an aggregate amount of at least $5,000,000 and shall bear an endorsement preventing cancellation, by the named insured, or the insurance carrier, without first furnishing the Code Enforcement Officer with 10 days written notification by certified or registered mail, Return Receipt Requested.
   
   
6. 4.4.6 A permit, if required, from the Tioga County Health Dept. helping ensure the safety of the food supply and the adequacy of health care services.
   
   
7. 4.4.7 A written notification sent to adjacent residential sites within 500 feet describing the event and the schedule for the event. This shall be done at the time of the permit application approval.
   
   
8. 4.4.8 Parking facilities must be off public roadways with a minimum of 1 acre per 100 cars or 30 buses.
   
   
9. 4.4.9 A site plan for the area to be used including natural features and facilities provided to accommodate the participants.
   
   
10. 4.4.10 Adequate signs to locate all facilities and roadways.
    
    
11. 4.4.11 Emergency situation details for:
    
    
1. 4.4.11.1 Medical supplies, facilities and personnel
   
   
2. 4.4.11.2 Evacuation
   
   
3. 4.4.11.3 Emergency access roads
   
   
12. 4.4.12 The location of toilet/s, hand washing facilities and potable water supplies. A minimum of one toilet and hand washing facility per 300 persons will be provided.
    
    
13. 4.4.13 A network of roads on the site sufficient for service and emergency vehicles and permitting an adequate flow of traffic.
    
    
14. 4.4.14 Transportation arrangements from noncontiguous parking facilities.
    
    
15. 4.4.15 The maximum number of people permitted at any point in time. The site shall provide a minimum of 50 Sq. Ft. for each person. An additional 400 Sq. Ft. will be provided for every two persons that will be camping and parking overnight.
    
    
16. 4.4.16 A means of limiting attendance to the maximum stated in the permit.
    
    
17. 4.4.17 Completion of all construction and installation of services and facilities at least 24 hours before the start of the event.
    
    
18. 4.4.18 Control measures, if required, for insects and noxious plants must be completed 48 hours before the event.
    
    
19. 4.4.19 Security enforcement must be provided to prevent the unlawful use of alcohol and other drugs, and to provide crowd and parking control. All security personnel whether designated as guards or otherwise, shall have training and/or experience in crowd control and emergency medical procedures.
    
    
20. 4.4.20 Adequate provisions for the collection, storage, and disposal of refuse must be made. Clean up after the event must be completed within 48 hours.
    
    
21. 4.4.21 The noise level at the perimeter of the site shall not exceed 70 dBA during the day and 50 dBA from 11 PM thru 7 AM.
    
    
22. 4.4.22 Adequate lighting must be provided after sunset and shall not be directed off site.
    
    

SECTION 5.0 WAIVER

The Town Board may for good cause shown waive one or more of the provisions of this local law provided that it can be reasonably anticipated that the health and safety of the persons attending or the general public will not be endangered by such a waiver. A waiver of any provision of this local law must be applied for in writing and reasons stated why the health and safety of the persons attending and the public will not be endangered. The Code Enforcement Officer shall note in writing on the permit any provisions of this local law that are being granted a waiver and set forth ~ny conditions attached to such waiver.

SECTION 6.0 DENIAL OF PERMIT

A permit shall not be granted if any of the items set forth in said application are determined by the Town Board to be insufficient to properly safeguard the safety, health, welfare and well being of persons or property or do not comply with any of the requirements of this local law or any applicable local, State or Federal laws, ordinances, regulations, rules or orders. After issuance of the permit, the permit can be revoked at any time that it is determined that the conditions of the permit are not being followed.

SECTION 7.0 PERMIT APPLICATION FEE

The Candor Town Board will establish the permit fee. The Town Clerk or the Code Enforcement Officer can be contacted for the amount along with the form/s necessary for the permit application. For events that are repeated on a regular basis, an annual renewal permit is required.

SECTION 8.0 PUBLIC HEARING

The Town Board may hold a public hearing before issuing the permit if it deems that there is sufficient reason for obtaining input from the public.

SECTION 9.0 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

Violators of this local law shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.

SECTION 10.0 SEPARABILITY

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this local law shall be adjudged by any Court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.

SECTION 11.0 EFFECTIVE DATE

This local law shall become effective immediately after filing in the office of the Secretary of State, New York.

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