Ocean Grove, North End. Dec. 20, 2009. Paul Goldfinger photo ©  Click to enlarge

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

The Neptune Township ordinances that apply during snow storms are 13.2, regarding removal of snow and ice from sidewalks, and 7-7.3 which is about temporary parking prohibitions and snow plowing. You can read the Township ordinances by going to the Neptunetownship.org web site. Use the menu on top to find the Clerk’s Office, and then scroll down for the ordinance link.

We went over to the NTPD today to meet with Sgt. Michael Zarro, the traffic officer. We discussed the ordinances and how they pertain to Ocean Grove.

For streets in OG where there are signs regarding parking during snow emergencies, they advise car owners to move their vehicles to the south or east sides of the streets.   (ie, no parking on the north and west sides where the signs live.) Some streets in the Grove had no signs, but they did receive signs recently.

If there are no signs, and this pertains to the entire Township, the cars are to be moved to the “side of any street or roadway adjacent to properties with even numbered addresses.”

If you plan to leave your car in the Grove while you are elsewhere, then be sure to park it in a location that is safe during a snow emergency.

It was our intention to find out how the whole process works, because if you do not remove your car to the proper location, it will be towed at a cost of $90.00, and then you will be charged $20.00 per day for storage and you will be ticketed by the police. You will also receive a fine.  (ballpark: $85.00).

The process begins when the police and the public (via “reverse 911”) learn that a significant snow/ice storm is expected and that there is a snow emergency in effect.   This news, coming before the snow, causes the police to call in extra personnel. You should move your car at this point or certainly when the snow begins to fall. Plowing occurs when 2 inches have fallen.

As the storm warnings develop, the police begin driving around town alerting those who need to move their cars.  They find you, if you live here, by “running the plates.” They may turn on their lights and sirens, or they may knock on your door.

The whole point of this exercise is to make room for the snow plows. This is particularly worrisome in Ocean Grove where some streets are too narrow for the plows, sanders and salt trucks to get through without moving cars.

The plowing will begin in two high priority parts of the Grove where the streets are especially narrow—-the north side, especially in the mountains (i.e. Mt. Tabor, etc,) and on the two beach blocks which are between Ocean Avenue and Central Avenue.

After that the plows begin to head south. Plowing is provided by the DPW. Sgt. Zarro expects that for the first big storm, about 40 cars will be towed. For subsequent storms, he estimates about 20 tows each time.

If your street gets plowed, don’t think that the job is done and don’t move your car back. Plows may be returning, and also the sanders and salters will be visiting you later.

If, by some atmospheric magic, no plowing becomes necessary, than no tickets will be issued.

If your car is towed, you need to call the police to find out which towing company took it.

Once the storm subsides and the plowing is complete, you may park your car wherever you please. If you believe that everyone should move their cars again so that the other side is plowed, that idea will not be considered for practical reasons such as how to dispose of the snow.

ANNE MURRAY