Amended West Long Branch Ordinance Would Prohibit Parking On Snow-Covered Borough Streets

The West Long Branch Council is looking to tighten its restrictions on parking on borough streets when they are snow-covered.

The council unanimously introduced an ordinance during Wednesday night's meeting that would prohibit parking on all borough streets when they are snow covered at all times.

The current ordinance states that there is no parking allowed on snow-covered streets from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. from Nov. 15 to March 15. The amended ordinance would prohibit parking all year.

The council decided to amend the ordinance after a brutal winter which saw borough streets covered in over 25 inches of snow. Police have reported that they handed down numerous warnings and tickets as a result of residents parking their cars on the street when they are snow-covered.

This makes it difficult for West Long Branch Department of Public Works Crews to plow borough streets, especially when the area experiences large amounts of snow.

The ordinance could be up for second reading and adoption at the next West Long Branch Council meeting on April 20.

• In other borough council news, the council unanimously passed an resolution which will close the West Long Branch Building Department at 95 Poplar Ave. on Friday, April 8, so that it can be relocated to 200 Wall St.

Councilman Jose Villa said the Poplar Avenue location was no longer viable for the building department because it is a fire hazard and has a mold problem.

The borough will lease the 200 Wall St. location for $1,200 per month.

Councilman Villa said the most likely outcome for the Poplar Avenue building is "partial demolition."

• The council unanimously awarded a contract to DMR Landscaping, of Eatontown, to trim trees and brush around Franklin Lake.

Borough Engineer Francis Mullan said DMR Landscaping was the lowest responsible bidder for the project at $9,425.

Mullan said he expects the landscaping to be completed by the "end of next week, with ideal weather."