By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – An ordinance amending the borough’s existing construction code will require contractors to set up temporary electric poles for all sites that do not have an existing electrical service.
The ordinance change was requested by the borough’s Planning/Zoning Board to reduce the use of portable generators that create noise and disrupt the quiet enjoyment of residents’ homes.
At a meeting in June, Planning/Zoning Board Chairman Tom McAllister said the generators “sound like a lawn mower running all day long” and are a “nuisance” to the residents of Longport.
“We live in a unique community…we do things that are right for our residents,” he said about suggesting the ordinance change.
The ordinance adds a section to Chapter 167-37 that requires contractors to obtain a permit from the Building Department verifying a request to the electric company for installation of a temporary electric pole to eliminate the use of gas-powered generators.
There are exceptions to the requirement for work on homes where electrical service is already available or where the property owner has an adjacent property that has electric service. Roofing projects on existing homes that only take a day or two to complete may use gas- or diesel-powered compressors to operate pneumatic nail guns and may be exempt from the requirement. Also, in the event of a fire or other natural disaster, the requirements may be waived.
The Board of Commissioners also introduced an ordinance revising Chapter 116, which regulates construction hours. The ordinance permits construction year-round between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. but prohibits construction on Sundays and holiday weekends.
The ordinance prohibits construction on New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas; the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial and Labor Day weekends; and recites a requirement for the 4th of July weekend, which varies year to year.
The ordinance specifically states: “If July 4 falls on Monday or Friday, then Saturday is also a prohibited day. If July 4 falls on a weekend, then no construction shall be permitted on the day of observance, whether the Friday before or Monday after the weekend.”
Public hearings and adoptions of the ordinances are scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 at Borough Hall.
In other business, the board agreed to release former engineer Richard Carter from a one-year contract that allowed him to complete several projects that were already started before he left the borough in December.
Carter has completed most of the projects, except for the design of a well house at the Public Works yard, where a new well has been constructed.
According to Administrator A. Scott Porter, it has become evident that the well house project will go on for another 18 months and Carter’s contract will expire before the work can be completed and is not interested in extending his contract. The design work for the well house will be turned over the borough’s current engineer, Ed Dennis Jr. of Remington & Vernick for completion.
Borough attorney Michael Affanato will issue a letter releasing Carter of any obligations for the well house project.
File/Longport’s longtime engineer Richard Carter was honored in 2018 by the American Society of Civil Engineers for his work on the Longport revetment project.
Carter will still be available in the event the NJ Department of Environmental Protection needs any more information regarding the Beach Maintenance Permit application he completed and is currently under review by the DEP, Affanato said. However, if the DEP requires further documentation regarding a Fish and Wildlife component, the work would also be transferred to Remington & Vernick.
Dennis also stated that he has been meeting with commissioners individually to review an estimated 28 capital project under consideration for completion over the coming years. Having a priority list capital program will help the borough plan financing for the projects, he said.
“It will come more into focus over the coming weeks and months,” Dennis said.
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