Mt. Hermon Way, 2009. By Paul Goldfinger ©
Ocean Grove, 2010. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Yesterday the OGHOA sent a memo to its members saying ,”Residents are reminded that the Township Committee has passed and will enforce an ordinance requiring all Township residents to keep sidewalks abutting their property clear of snow and ice. The ordinance requires that snow and ice be removed within 12 daylight hours of a snowfall.”
It goes on to say that summonses will be issued to those who do not comply, as was done last winter. The OGHOA also warned those who are away when there is a snowstorm to make “arrangements for snow removal.” This is a big issue because so many OG houses are vacant much of the time in the winter.
This HOA memo makes it sound like the ordinance was just passed earlier this year. However, ordinance 13-2 was actually written in 1988 and it has never been changed. It’s not clear that it, like some other ordinances in town, was ever enforced in the past. The law also says that if you do not comply, the Township will do the work for you and then slap a lien onto your property tax bill.
This notice was left for an OG homeowner last March. Blogfinger file photo. ©
Rick Cuttrell, the Township Clerk, was less rigid about the possible enforcement of this law, especially given all the logistical problems that would occur. He said, “If you don’t do it, you are at risk.” He said that last year there was a complaint by Ocean Grover Ken Buckley of Broadway who slipped on some sidewalk ice and nearly had a terrible injury. Ken asked for better enforcement of the ordinance for safety reasons, and the Township Committee promised to do just that.
Cuttrell reminisced about how he and others who grew up in the Grove went around town to shovel walks. But these days, that is an uncertain proposition. He said that the hardware store in town has a list of properties that they take responsiblity for.
Whenever there is a significant snowfall or ice storm in Ocean Grove, the NTPD usually has its hands full with traffic problems, downed lines and accidents. And the Township usually is overwhelmed by trying to plow and clear the streets, much less the sidewalks. Also, to “clear the ice away” is impossible in freezing weather. The best that can be done for ice is to sprinkle ice melt on it.
It’s hard to imagine how this ordinance can be enforced predictably and equally, so there may be some issues of equal justice under the law.
In addition, there are some questions having to do with signage and moving cars to the correct side. Remember, there is to be no parking on the north and west sides of our streets, some of which have signs, while others do not. But regardless of signs, this rule is supposed to be followed. Then how will the towing be handled?
In Part II of this article, we will be discussing enforcement issues surrounding snow storms, including parking and towing, with the NTPD.
As for the Home Groaners Association, it was so nice of them to send that one paragraph warning around. But have they given any thought to the problems inherent to this situation and all its ramifications? Maybe their next meeting should be about this problem, taxes, winter crime, solutions to flooding, etc instead of worrying about health insurance.
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If can’t/won’t do it yourself, just ask the Hardware Store to do it. It’s that easy. Anyone who can’t do that should not own a home. Once you are on the Hardware Store list, you are set.
I hope they write lots of tickets. They need to because folks are lazy and irresponsible.
We have a contract on B’way and Cookman with a reliable guy who has cleared our snow at a low cost and reliably for the last 3 years. It sure helps those who walk dogs in winter and care about neighbor’s safety!
Oh My; The cars are not to be moved to the north and west. Instead they need to be moved to the south and east. Go check the signs. —Paul
Should be “Yes, move cars …”
Yes, do not move cars to the north and west side! There should be a second part to it. 12 hours after plowing, cars should be moved to the other side of the street so the whole width can be done. Orphan or warehoused cars should be towed so the streets can be done. My little street has NEVER been completely plowed curb to curb. During the melt, the puddling from ice dams is horrendous and they freeze again over night. Very dangerous.