It’s 9:30 a.m., Sunday July 7, and two guys are using high decibel equipment to cut the grass and blow the debris off a nearby property. The noise is deafening and destroys the beauty of a breezy sunny morning. When they finished with the grass, two other workers at a neighboring house joined in a loud percussive duet with hammers—banging away at a porch roof.
People are already out, bike riding, strolling with friends, children playing in the park, and dog owners airing out their best friends. Perhaps some are still sleeping after a late Saturday night carousing in the Grove. They probably have their windows open enjoying the still cool fresh air.
Is it asking too much to get some noise relief, at least on Sunday morning.? It’s not a religious issue. It is part of an Ocean Grove tradition—what’s left of it. Can’t we all enjoy one morning free from the din that disrupts the peace every other morning?
This is really about respect for each other, or perhaps we could say that it is about disrespect.
Anyhow, if we can ban second-hand smoke on our beaches and in our parks, then how about a noise ordinance, at least for the summer months, on Sunday (or dare I say Saturday and Sunday) mornings? We really could use some Sunday kind of love, but keep the volume down.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
DELL VIKINGS:
interesting about the ordinance, as I was always told it was no work of any sort outside. I have a neighbor who spends all day Sunday cutting grass and trimming hedges (yes – they trim hedges EVERY Sunday).
They are year-round residents who I often see on the beach Saturday, so they can’t claim Sunday is the only day they have available for yard work.
re: smoking on the beach. I generally walk over to the smoker and inform them of the regulation. If they ignore me, I point the smoker out to a lifeguard who is always accommodating and tells them to put it out.
There is a noise ordinance that is effective 24/7. You just need to call the Neptune police regarding annoying noise, whatever the cause. On Sunday, construction is not permitted in Ocean Grove. Of course, during the week between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. normal construction and its accompanying noise, and other reasonable human activity are allowed, but if something, even a neighbor’s radio, is at a truly disturbing level, can be subject to the noise ordinance. One might try to resolve the problem with the source, but all else failing, we have the noise ordinance available.
To Thumpa Thumpa,
The loud music over the weekends is coming from Bradley Beach, not Belmar. It seems to be coming from the Pavilion on the boardwalk. I’m told it can be heard as far north as Surf Ave, maybe further.
When we were running the town-wide yard sale, some people got permits and others did not. I have yet to hear of a case where that law has been enforced; the same thing with the rule about posting ads on telephone poles.
It’s like not signaling when turning—if laws are not enforced, then they will not be obeyed. Ordinances that are not enforced should be eliminated, because the confusion inherent in this situation causes citizens to become cynical, and then the rule of law begins to breakdown.
I wish the no-smoking rule was enforced on the beach. It NEVER is. I fear that the same thing would happen if we had a rule re: no work on Sunday mornings. I love the idea of it, but it be impossible to enforce. I think the no-smoking on the beach rule would be easy to enforce, but apparently it is not!
I read the reference above by “Shed.” Every person that buys a house gets a packet from the CMA, and the “rules and regulations” paper is included in that packet. Even to this day they still hand them out. I don’t work in the area so I cannot go get one, but perhaps someone else can get one and post the Sunday no-work rule.
Shed Some Light (may we call you shed?) Why not find that “item” about Sunday work and send it to us? That would be better than merely telling us that it exists. It would certainly be better than sharing quotes about mind altering drugs. Thanks, Paul
When you have a lease for your property in Ocean Grove you are supposed to receive the “Ocean Grove Camp Meeting RULES & REGULATIONS.” This is a long paper folded into eighths and used to be available on the desk at the CMA. One of the items listed relate to work on Sunday. I don’t know if they still have these. They’re laughed at by people who buy “summer homes” here and could care less about the serenity of OG. They especially love the item:
“No artificial substances that alter the rational mind thinking.” And btw, I think it even says “no dancing” or something. The CMA lost control years ago. And for better or for worse, its a good thing in some respects, a bad thing in others.
I know some working stiffs will say weekends are the only times they can trim their grass but its also the only time most of us can sleep late or just enjoy the peace.
Can’t the lawn wait until the afternoon?
And what better excuse to avoid mowing and blowing than to tell your partner, “I’d love to, but it’s against the law”.
Resident: Thank you
No thanks. Public shaming is not part of our mission. Please find another approach. Paul
Re: Webb Avenue noise. Sorry you have to deal with that. Perhaps public shaming will work? Have Blogfinger publish the offending address, name of owner, and (if anyone has it) their phone number.
Sorry Paul for not posting ordinance…Was in a rush this morning..Next time I will post all necessary documents!
We can’t do that out of respect for our neighbors, some of whom are elderly, and anyway, we don’t want to sink to their level. In looking at the ordinances, there seems to be nothing about loud music, which also reminds me that on Fridays in the summer, Belmar is allowed to play such loud music as to not be able to have a conversation on the porch.
If we start with the music, it becomes a feud which we don’t want. It also becomes a license for the neighbors in the next block to do the same, especially if there is no ordinance about loud music. Any ideas again? Thanks for responding. We appreciate your reading/listening to our difficulties.
re WEBB AVE noise….since summoning the police and appeal to reason with owner have failed, you might consider countermeasures. Competing music at an out of sync beat and at an off key to the thumpa-thumpa might render the resultant sound un-enjoyable to the neighbor as well; sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Silence can be golden.
It is true the Webb Ave noise can be heard for blocks. Over the years police have been called, but they just show up, volume goes down until they leave, then back up again as soon as police are out of the way. This past 4th the music was blasted over loudspeakers for 9 1/2 hours plus. It never stopped. Any suggestions? we have already talked to the owners to no avail.
The Webb Avenue noise can be heard for blocks. This past weekend it was 9 1/2 hours straight of thumpa thumpa. It would be one thing if the music wasn’t constantly blaring at fast speed, but it is hooked up to loudspeakers so that no one can escape. Calling the police does nothing. Many have tried. They simply come by, say something, the volume goes down until they leave, then starts all over again.
Thank you OGJaimie. It would be really helpful if more BF readers would help me out by doing some research on their own. Some readers like to give me jobs–ie assignments. But, although I am receptive to suggestions and even submissions of articles, I do not do assignments. Only Eileen gets away with that. Thanks, Paul
You should try living on the first block of Webb Avenue. The noise isn’t on Sunday mornings, particularly, but all day on the Fourth of July and many evenings. Is there any ordinance that prohibits loud, blaring music, especially early evening and late at night?
Dear Mr. Blogfinger, I should like rescind my previous comments as I have been contacted by the NSA through their “Prism” program to explain my meaning, God Bless America!
Here’s the relevant ordinance:
3-2.6 Construction or Repair Prohibited on Sunday.
Except as heretofore permitted in an emergency, the erection including excavation, demolition, alteration or repair of any building is hereby prohibited on Sunday. This should not be interpreted to include the natural and normal maintenance and care a homeowner may effect upon his lawn or home. (Ord. No. 1413 § 5)
Every other day the noise restriction is in place from 7pm to 8am. Looks like homeowners can cut their lawn or, say, nail down a loose porch board/plank, on Sunday if they choose. Then it becomes a case of neighborly courtesy, not law.
More at the link below. The construction noise language I under police regulations. (Section 3-2)
http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=neptunetwp-nj
Editor’s note: We also got this link from teecos. Thank you
When we were just “newbies” here our neighbors informed us that there was no loud noise allowed here in OG on Sunday morning. We just assumed that it might have been respect for the “day of rest”. Our immediate area seems to adhere to this “rule”. Maybe you need to spread the “word.” I do believe there is some sort of noise ordinance and I know the PD does respond after 11PM.
Paul, I will call the next time it happens. Thank you so much for your site, it keeps me informed.
Francis Asbury Manor has a garbage pickup between 8 and 8:30 Sat mornings. A robot arm lifts the contents of a huge metal commercial garbage container into its noisey & gigantic truck. Then it slams said container back onto the ground. The neighborhood shouldn’t have to deal with it. I wonder if commercial entities are supposed to be following the noise laws too?
Pat: Oh well? If there is an ordinance then why not make a call? 7:20 a.m. is wrong!
Paul @Blogfinger
How about helping us out and sending us a link? I could not find it. Paul
I was under the impression they were not allowed to do any work on Sunday (unless it is the owner) ..Go to Neptune.org and pull up the ordinance!
I thought there was a noise ordinance…. NO NOISE BEFORE 10:00 AM. Check with the police.. I had a contractor tell me … that he couldn’t use any equipment that made noise…before 10:00 in the morning. I agree with you, I am sick of it also. Last Saturday morning they were mowing the lawn at 7:20 am, needless to say… I didn’t sleep in. The ground was soaked.. I wouldn’t cut grass when the ground was wet. Oh well.