Wildlife in Mt. Olive will have to dine away from local townhouses and apartments based on ordinance changes passed at the Feb. 24 council meeting.
The Mt. Olive Twp. Council voted 4-3 to amend an ordinance to prohibit the feeding of wildlife on public and private property except for certain limitations. Ordinance #2 was introduced at the Feb. 10 meeting, held a public hearing for the Feb. 24 meeting along with the council’s vote which attracted some debate.
Three council members: Council Vice President Chuck Aaron, Councilwoman Colleen Labow and newest member Raffaele Ruggiero, voted against the changes.
“We don’t have an entire community problem to resolve,” says Aaron. He was concerned that the township would have to adjust based on one situation. “Two neighbors who can’t resolve an issue shouldn’t affect 30K residents. I don’t think we should restrict people from feeding animals.
“I encourage people to talk things through and then go to the homeowner’s association,” suggests Aaron.
Ruggiero was concerned about how changes to this ordinance will affect private homeowners who enjoy feeding the animals.
“This is an ordinance that cannot be easily enforced,” says Labow. “It will not keep people from getting ticks. We live in a community surrounded by woods. For this to be an ordinance throughout the community does not fit.”
A request to amend chapter 169, pertaining to dogs and other animals, was made after a resident of a townhome complained about wild animals constantly coming onto his deck and property because of his neighbor who is constantly feeding the wildlife animals.
Frank Mezle of Stedwick Village in Budd Lake raised the issue to Councilmember Mary Lalama back in 2025. He had been dealing with the nuisance since May and complained multiple times without any recourse.
Lalama advised the council about the resident’s complaint and requested that changes be considered in the ordinance to “limit the feeding of wildlife,” she suggested at the Dec. 23, 2025, council meeting.
She explained how a gentleman is having an issue with his neighbor feeding birds, squirrels and deer. Now those animals are coming up to his yard and to his door, and he does not feel safe.
“He has small grandchildren,” says Lalama. Feeding animals when there is not enough property, like at townhomes and apartments, can cause a problem for neighbors.
“Feeding wildlife on your porch or door promotes more animals,” Lalama adds at the Jan. 27 meeting.
Mezle spoke up during the public portion at the Jan. 27 council meeting to inform township officials of the nuisance and his concerns.
“This is happening to me and my family,” says Mezle, since 2024. Feeding next door has attracted deer onto his property.
“You have ordinances for dogs; who picks up after the deer?” he questions. “Because there is no ordinance out there, it allows anyone to do anything. It affects 33K people. Put something in for the whole community. Without an ordinance you’re letting people do whatever they feel like.
“I’m a family guy, raised my family, served my country,” he tells the council and mayor. “Me, I mind my own business, never spoke here. I’m a 68-year-old guy, works at the college. I just want to come home and play with my grandchildren.
“My deck is now the toilet of the wildlife,” adds Mezle. “You don’t have to feed the animals. It’s all about the kids to me and my family. This is a huge issue for me and the community.”
Mezle returned to the Feb. 24 meeting to share that other towns including Netcong, Randolph, Denville and Boonton have adopted laws to restrict the feeding of wildlife on private property.
“Wildlife should remain wild,” he says. “Feeding creates a nuisance. The bite is way worse than the bark. I’m hoping Mt. Olive would be proactive rather than reactive.”
Ordinance Details
The proposed ordinance states that the township council, administration and health department have become aware of certain township residents feeding wildlife on their property, which feeding is detrimental to humans, pets and wildlife.
“This practice increases the threat of disease and injury to residents and their pets by attracting deer, bears, racoons, and other wildlife to neighboring properties and high-traffic areas, and disrupts the natural feeding habits of animals, making them more susceptible to illness and death from non-native food, the transmission of disease between animals, and by conditioning them to no longer fear humans,” it states.
“Township Council desires to prohibit the feeding of wildlife on public and private property except for certain limited exceptions, as authorized for licensed hunters, and in connection with an approved deer management plan, to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Mount Olive community.”
The amended ordinance for Chapter 169, Dogs and Other Animals, of the Township Code established new Article VI, Wildlife will prohibit attractants: Any substance, including but not limited to food, pet food, grain, seed, or refuse, that draws wildlife to a specific location.
Feeding any wildlife animals— all animals that are neither human nor domesticated—which includes “To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife,” will be prohibited. “Feeding does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game.”
The law, if passed, should be observed by “Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to township jurisdiction.
“No person shall purposely or knowingly feed, bait, or in any manner provide an attractant to wildlife on any porch, deck, balcony, or exterior stairs attached to a residential dwelling,” it states. “The scattering of an attractant within 15 feet of a residential structure is strictly prohibited.
“No person shall leave an attractant intended for domestic animals unattended on a porch or deck between the hours of sunset and sunrise,” it further details.
“The feeding of birds through a bird feeder with a “catcher” tray and in full compliance with the requirements shall not constitute a violation. Feeders must be suspended at least five feet above ground to prevent access by non-target wildlife. Property owners must utilize a "catcher" tray and frequently clean the area beneath the feeder to prevent the accumulation of seed hulls or waste on to the ground.”
Councilmember Colleen Labow questioned how this will be enforced.
“If we get a complaint, we will investigate,” says Mt. Olive Twp. Business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko. “If it’s not in compliance, we will enforce.”
The ordinance states that any health officer, police department and animal control officer can enforce this law if passed.
As far as penalties, “Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof be punishable by a fine not exceeding $2,000. Each violation shall be deemed a separate offence.”
Adds Aaron at the Feb. 24 meeting: “One of the beauties of Mt. Olive is wildlife is what makes Mt. Olive, Mt. Olive.”
With that final vote in, wildlife should consider out-of-town reservations.
