Dr.and Mrs. Dale Whilden. Noisy dentists must turn off their drills on Sunday in Ocean Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo.
Grovers escape to the beach on Sunday morning to avoid noise on the streets of the city. It’s after Labor Day so you can go. But if there is the noise of the surf, somebody call Neptune United to see if our Constitutional rights are being violated. Blogfinger action photo. 2023.
Just wondering from Michele:
Glad to find this site- Trying to read thru all the town ordinances, maybe you can assist – are there any ‘Sunday Noise Laws’ for early morning?
I have a new neighbor who has the lawn cut each Sunday starting at 7:45 am to 8:000 am- Have the ‘Sunday blue laws’ changed? I believe mowers could not be used until 9 am-
Location Neptune Twp – Thank you
Here is a link to a 2016 article on noise pollution in Ocean Grove
Disturbing noise is frowned on in town, and power construction equipment is banned on Sundays. The only remaining Sunday blue law forbids beaching till noon.
It looks like the noisy neighbor problem depends on good will—ie, a Sunday kind of love.
If not neighborliness, Michele could call the police, and they would have a chat with the noisy mower. (They will, and they will send a 6’ 4″ handsome Neptune cop who will calm the waters with his presence.)
For more information go to Neptunetownship.org and read the ordinance. (see the BF link above.)
Paul Goldfinger, Editor. Blogfinger.net
AMY VACHAL
Whoa – in defense of Ocean Grove dentists (both former and current) – let’s clarify that caption.
Early Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association noise related Blue Laws, indeed, prohibited drilling on Sunday……but it was construction drilling – not caries drilling. It wasn’t that we dentists were noisy. The only problem with dental excavation on the Sabbath in those early pre-novacaine days was if the patient disturbed the peace by screaming!!!
Dale Whilden (OG dentist)
A bit more Ocean Grove blue law history:
When it comes to NJ Supreme Court decision of June 21, 1979, most remembered:
+–newspapers could now be delivered on Sunday
+–vehicular traffic could now take place on Sunday
+–police force was disbanded
+–municipal court was eliminated.
“Forgotten” (?) component of decision:.
“The Association may continue to adopt rules when it deems necessary to protect Ocean Grove’s unique cultural and spiritual characteristics. The inhabitants of Ocean Grove and indeed all others who so chose remain free to voluntarily abide by those rules.”