On Abbott Ave, all the residents have done their job of clearing the sidewalks and parking on the south side of the street, but the town has not done its job. I have not left my block since the storm 4 days ago but here it looks like it stopped snowing only a few hours ago.
The plow went down the middle of the street – and that was it. There has been absolutely no attempt to clear the street to the curb on either side of the street.
I lived in Morris County for over thirty years. We had many storms of this size. Never did I ever see streets in this condition more than 24 hours after the snow stopped. There is no reason our streets shouldn’t be clear except that no one has attempted to do the job.
Jan. 6, 2018: Any snow removal notice should be addressed to the CMA because according to Neptune Township, the Camp Meeting Association in OG are “the owners of all the land abutting or bordering upon the sidewalk of the public streets.”
Also, according to original CMA leases, we “the tenants” are to be out of the “Camp Grounds” during the winter months.
Obviously the well intended ‘Ken Buckley snow removal ordinance’, was not framed properly, making enforcement problematic if not illegal.
Question: Can the Township enforce a religious rule that does not exist?
Talking about enforcement. When the Warrington sought its variances, the testimony was that Lake Ave was a legal street. If so, why isn’t Neptune Township plowing it? The Township has just hired an Attorney to address the improper variances that were granted for this application. Will he be addressing this in the court? Will he be addressing the fact that there weren’t any surveys of this public dedicated street when it was given over to this developer for commercial purposes?
Therefore, who is responsible to keep this so called street cleared for the public?
So much for the enforcement of the law when it comes to OG!
It seems no matter what we do there is always something we’re doing wrong, be it parking,snow removal,dog poop or leash,etc. so go ahead and fine the small guy—-the heart of O.G.
Then on the other hand when there are complaints that the township neglects to implement their codes for parking, abandoned buildings, etc., the township turns it back on the people.
We live on the south side of town near Fletcher Lake, and were especially annoyed to receive that snow removal violation notice. We have been vigilant about shoveling our walks, or hiring someone to shovel them, with each and every storm this winter. What we found interesting was that the sidewalk near the water treatment plant on Pennsylvania Avenue was not, and has not been cleared of snow. Does Neptune Township give itself a violation notice for not shoveling its own walks?
I agree with Paul regarding the other laws that are not enforced, such as the leash laws and especially the pooper-scooper law. We see many, many people not cleaning up their dog’s messes in that lot by the tennis courts. It might be helpful to have one of those baggie stations put up there like I’ve seen in other parks in the grove.
Thank you Blogfinger for keeping us posted on all things Ocean Grove.
JW: You are correct, but whether the ordinance is enforced due to a neighbor’s complaint, a call from Deep Throat, or by the Code people cruising around, an adequate warning to everyone before the storm would have been fairer. If I had received the info from Neptune, I would have posted it, and maybe some Grovers would have avoided the Tuesday surprise.
Ken: I don’t deny the need to enforce this ordinance. I just question how it is being implemented. Here’s another ordinance which is not enforced: leash laws.
The year round residents have had it up to here this winter (14 snowstorms to date) trying to get anywhere in town because so many second home owners and “sun birds” don’t give a damn. I’d estimate that probably MORE THAN HALF the sidewalks have been snow covered this cold snowy winter.
You truly want want strict enforcement of yard sales? Good luck with that one. If everybody paid the small permit fee there might be so much revenue maybe Neptune could cut taxes.
Slipping and sliding on these hazards is not confusing it is DANGEROUS!
Editor’s note: So Ken, have you done a study and are you a mindreader to decide that certain segments of the OG populace “don’t give a damn?” You are a divider—you already have broken down this community by categorizing residents as “sun birds” and “second home owners.” How arrogant you are! What category are you in? You should be dumped from the OGHOA Board for your divisive comment. Paul @Blogfinger
Believe notices of violation like the sidewalk clearance notices are issued based on specific complaints brought to the township’s attention. This may explain the selective issuance.
By way of example, when I was new homeowner in OG, I inadvertently put bulk trash out on the wrong day. As a result, I received a notice to remove it in X hours. At a rental property, I received a notice to cut the weeds in the “grass strip.” Both of these notices were the result of a “neighbor” contacting the township.
…yes, and without a “heads up” to say, “OK folks, starting with the next storm we will enforce the ordinance which we didn’t enforce before.” If that was the goal of these warnings, then why write times on the paper, which made the warnings very specific? Was there equal enforcement under the law? Did every property in town that wasn’t yet shoveled receive one of these disturbing notices?
There are too many ordinances in town which are not enforced and thus cause some confusion: e.g. no posting of yard sales on poles and no yard sales without a paid permit. Either the rules are enforced or they should be canceled.
i have seen these on several houses on my street where the sidewalk has not been cleared. What I don’t understand is why these are being handed out now at the end of the season.
This notice was presented to one homeowner. It is assumed that others received such warnings, but that’s all we know now. If anyone is really curious, they can call Code Enforcement.
So much for every other town, though. Usually it’s not a problem for me because there aren’t a lot of cars out this time of year, but when there are and I’m walking in the street – not fun. I don’t think the drivers always understand, either, why you are walking in the street. It’s kind of silly to be zigzagging from the sidewalk back to the street.
It’s ridiculous when a whole sidewalk is shoveled but then you get to where the sidewalk meets the street and there is a 2-3 foot mound.
I resent the fact that I am out there shoveling each and every storm, and my neighbor does nothing (absent from building). If someone had fallen on their walk they most likely would be sued. I hope the enforcement continues.
It’s about time!
The good news is that at the last Township Committee Meeting it was announced Neptune will be following in the steps of Toms River by passing an Ordinance that allow issuing summonses answerable in Municipal Court with progressively increasing fines for each time there is a violation.
(The current Ordinance #1369 only provides for liens to recoup costs.)
Editor’s note: This commenter who goes by “Ken” is actually Kennedy Buckley of the OGHOA. He is a guy who swears that he always signs his comments by using his full name. He thinks that anyone who fails to use their real name is creating “fake news”
Kevin – Don’t give up the ship. You’re tenacity and vast knowledge is appreciated.
On Abbott Ave, all the residents have done their job of clearing the sidewalks and parking on the south side of the street, but the town has not done its job. I have not left my block since the storm 4 days ago but here it looks like it stopped snowing only a few hours ago.
The plow went down the middle of the street – and that was it. There has been absolutely no attempt to clear the street to the curb on either side of the street.
I lived in Morris County for over thirty years. We had many storms of this size. Never did I ever see streets in this condition more than 24 hours after the snow stopped. There is no reason our streets shouldn’t be clear except that no one has attempted to do the job.
As Kevin says, “Speaking of enforcement,” we still don’t know if anyone has been fined under the Buckley Ordinance. If you have, please comment.
Thanks, Paul
Jan. 6, 2018: Any snow removal notice should be addressed to the CMA because according to Neptune Township, the Camp Meeting Association in OG are “the owners of all the land abutting or bordering upon the sidewalk of the public streets.”
Also, according to original CMA leases, we “the tenants” are to be out of the “Camp Grounds” during the winter months.
Obviously the well intended ‘Ken Buckley snow removal ordinance’, was not framed properly, making enforcement problematic if not illegal.
Question: Can the Township enforce a religious rule that does not exist?
Jack Bredin
Talking about enforcement. When the Warrington sought its variances, the testimony was that Lake Ave was a legal street. If so, why isn’t Neptune Township plowing it? The Township has just hired an Attorney to address the improper variances that were granted for this application. Will he be addressing this in the court? Will he be addressing the fact that there weren’t any surveys of this public dedicated street when it was given over to this developer for commercial purposes?
Therefore, who is responsible to keep this so called street cleared for the public?
So much for the enforcement of the law when it comes to OG!
Kevin Chambers
It seems no matter what we do there is always something we’re doing wrong, be it parking,snow removal,dog poop or leash,etc. so go ahead and fine the small guy—-the heart of O.G.
Then on the other hand when there are complaints that the township neglects to implement their codes for parking, abandoned buildings, etc., the township turns it back on the people.
We live on the south side of town near Fletcher Lake, and were especially annoyed to receive that snow removal violation notice. We have been vigilant about shoveling our walks, or hiring someone to shovel them, with each and every storm this winter. What we found interesting was that the sidewalk near the water treatment plant on Pennsylvania Avenue was not, and has not been cleared of snow. Does Neptune Township give itself a violation notice for not shoveling its own walks?
I agree with Paul regarding the other laws that are not enforced, such as the leash laws and especially the pooper-scooper law. We see many, many people not cleaning up their dog’s messes in that lot by the tennis courts. It might be helpful to have one of those baggie stations put up there like I’ve seen in other parks in the grove.
Thank you Blogfinger for keeping us posted on all things Ocean Grove.
JW: You are correct, but whether the ordinance is enforced due to a neighbor’s complaint, a call from Deep Throat, or by the Code people cruising around, an adequate warning to everyone before the storm would have been fairer. If I had received the info from Neptune, I would have posted it, and maybe some Grovers would have avoided the Tuesday surprise.
Ken: I don’t deny the need to enforce this ordinance. I just question how it is being implemented. Here’s another ordinance which is not enforced: leash laws.
The year round residents have had it up to here this winter (14 snowstorms to date) trying to get anywhere in town because so many second home owners and “sun birds” don’t give a damn. I’d estimate that probably MORE THAN HALF the sidewalks have been snow covered this cold snowy winter.
You truly want want strict enforcement of yard sales? Good luck with that one. If everybody paid the small permit fee there might be so much revenue maybe Neptune could cut taxes.
Slipping and sliding on these hazards is not confusing it is DANGEROUS!
Editor’s note: So Ken, have you done a study and are you a mindreader to decide that certain segments of the OG populace “don’t give a damn?” You are a divider—you already have broken down this community by categorizing residents as “sun birds” and “second home owners.” How arrogant you are! What category are you in? You should be dumped from the OGHOA Board for your divisive comment. Paul @Blogfinger
Believe notices of violation like the sidewalk clearance notices are issued based on specific complaints brought to the township’s attention. This may explain the selective issuance.
By way of example, when I was new homeowner in OG, I inadvertently put bulk trash out on the wrong day. As a result, I received a notice to remove it in X hours. At a rental property, I received a notice to cut the weeds in the “grass strip.” Both of these notices were the result of a “neighbor” contacting the township.
…yes, and without a “heads up” to say, “OK folks, starting with the next storm we will enforce the ordinance which we didn’t enforce before.” If that was the goal of these warnings, then why write times on the paper, which made the warnings very specific? Was there equal enforcement under the law? Did every property in town that wasn’t yet shoveled receive one of these disturbing notices?
There are too many ordinances in town which are not enforced and thus cause some confusion: e.g. no posting of yard sales on poles and no yard sales without a paid permit. Either the rules are enforced or they should be canceled.
i have seen these on several houses on my street where the sidewalk has not been cleared. What I don’t understand is why these are being handed out now at the end of the season.
This notice was presented to one homeowner. It is assumed that others received such warnings, but that’s all we know now. If anyone is really curious, they can call Code Enforcement.
Did these notices go out in all of Neptune or just Ocean Grove?
So much for every other town, though. Usually it’s not a problem for me because there aren’t a lot of cars out this time of year, but when there are and I’m walking in the street – not fun. I don’t think the drivers always understand, either, why you are walking in the street. It’s kind of silly to be zigzagging from the sidewalk back to the street.
It’s ridiculous when a whole sidewalk is shoveled but then you get to where the sidewalk meets the street and there is a 2-3 foot mound.
I resent the fact that I am out there shoveling each and every storm, and my neighbor does nothing (absent from building). If someone had fallen on their walk they most likely would be sued. I hope the enforcement continues.
It’s about time!
The good news is that at the last Township Committee Meeting it was announced Neptune will be following in the steps of Toms River by passing an Ordinance that allow issuing summonses answerable in Municipal Court with progressively increasing fines for each time there is a violation.
(The current Ordinance #1369 only provides for liens to recoup costs.)
Editor’s note: This commenter who goes by “Ken” is actually Kennedy Buckley of the OGHOA. He is a guy who swears that he always signs his comments by using his full name. He thinks that anyone who fails to use their real name is creating “fake news”