Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • October 14, 2009 Allendale Honeybees may return to licensed beehives by John Koster The Allendale Council has unanimously adopted an ordinance that removes bees from the borough’s list of banned and dangerous animals. The change lifts the bee ban instituted in the 1980s, and will allow a controlled number of beehives to be maintained in the borough as long as the immediate neighbors do not object. “I promise you that you will be amazed at your flower gardens and vegetable garden. Give me two years,” said Dianne DiBlasi, who had begun to advocate lifting an official ban on beekeeping in the borough almost exactly three years ago. DiBlasi thanked the entire council, and in particular Council Members Jim Strauch and Elizabeth White for supporting her initiative, and Councilman Ari Bernstein, Esq. for his help in drafting the new ordinance. “I could not have done this without them,” DeBlasi said. Mayor Vince Barra said, “We try to respond to our residents, and we really did a lot of work on it, both from the perspective of knowing that bees are important, and also from the point of view of people who might have some issues with this.” Strauch, who is allergic to bee and wasp stings, drafted the proposed revision of the regulation that will allow DeBlasi and other residents who want to keep bees to maintain a limited number of beehives, unless neighbors register opposition. He suggested that Allendale add requirements to the zoning ordinance that would originally have allowed a maximum of four beehives on residential property – since expanded to a possible six on properties of an acre or larger -- but require potential beekeepers to notify all neighbors within 200 feet of any property line. The terms of the ordinance state that the beekeeper must register with the New Jersey Apiarist, who will provide free inspection services as per prior agreement with the council. The Allendale authorities will issue a license for beekeeping. The zoning officer will determine property setbacks, and all hives will have to be located at least 25 feet from the property lines. Hive will have to be protected by an appropriate fence, at least six feet in height, with the gate being locked at all times to keep the hive from being disturbed. The Allendale Building Department will responsible for approving the right to build the fence. Local officials will check regularly to make sure that the bees had an adequate supply of water. Violations could lead to possible removal of the bees. Honeybees will be kept for non-commercial purposes only. Since she began her campaign to allow beekeeping in Allendale, DiBlasi organized students to rally in support of the avocation and otherwise educated the public about the importance of bees in pollinating flowers and vegetables. Fall celebration The community turned out in force to enjoy the 2009 Allendale Festival Day, which was sponsored by the Allendale Chamber of Commerce. The celebration included contests, activities, musical performances, and more. Decorations were donated by Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery & Florist. �������� �������� ���������� �������� ����������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ������������� ����� �������������� ������������ ������ ����� ������ ����������������� ������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ �������������� ������� ��������������� �������� �������� ������������ ���������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� � �� � ����������� � � ����������� �� �� ��������������������������������� ������������ ������������������ ������������������ ���������������� ��������������������������������������������������� �������������������������� ����������������������������