Lacey Weighs Ban On Intentional Balloon Releases

LACEY, NJ — Lacey Township officials discussed a potential ordinance that would ban intentional balloon releases after the issue was raised during public comment at a previous meeting.

The discussion focused on planned releases, not accidental cases such as a child losing a balloon.

During the meeting, Business Administrator Veronica Laureigh said the proposal grew out of a comment made while the governing body was discussing environmental issues. Laureigh said the suggested ordinance would address situations in which people plan balloon releases, often near the waterfront.

As a model, the township reviewed language from an East Brunswick ordinance.

According to the draft language read aloud at the meeting, the purpose is "in order to protect the environment, particularly the wildlife and the health, safety, and well-being of persons and properties by prohibiting the release of balloons into the atmosphere, including helium, latex and mylar."

The same language says balloon releases "poses a danger and nuisance to the environment particularly to wildlife marine animals so as to constitute a public nuisance and may pose a threat to the safety of its inhabitants in their property."

The sample ordinance states that "It should be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to intentionally release, organize the release or intentionally cause to be released balloons" within township limits.

Exceptions in the sample language include balloons released by or for a government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes, hot air balloons that are recovered after launching and balloons released indoors.

"I think this is simple and well written and myself I think we should support it," Committeeman Robert Laureigh said.

"They go up, they come down," said Committeeman Peter Curatolo. "They not only pollute what we have here on the land, but they'll go into the Barnegat Bay as well. Not right. Not good."

The township attorney will next review the draft ordinance.