Longport Happy Face water tower.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – To encourage people to “post no bills” the Board of Commissioners Thursday, Aug. 16 introduced an ordinance upping fines for the practice. It also approved an ordinance limiting commercial landscaping hours during the week and on weekends during summer.
Commercial landscapers must now abide by legislation that limits hours worked year-round and on Saturdays during the summer. The new schedule permits commercial landscapers to work 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday – knocking off one hour earlier than previously permitted. During the summer season – June 15-Sept. 15 – Saturday landscaping hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the off-season – Sept. 16-June 14 – landscapers can work 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No commercial landscaping is permitted on Sundays. The ordinance does not affect homeowners who maintain their own properties.
The ordinance revision as adopted also prohibits commercial landscaping on major holidays and holiday weekends: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, 4th of July, and Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
In the interest of public health and safety, landscapers can work on an emergency basis after obtaining a permit from the Construction Code Official.
During the public hearing on the ordinance, resident Bob English said landscaping trailers exacerbate parking problems during the summer, especially on weekends.
“Perhaps it might be better and eliminate problems if landscaping was not permitted during the summer on Saturdays,” he said.
The board also introduced an ordinance revising the fines for posting signs or flyers on any building, light standard, utility pole or tree. Anyone who violates the ordinance is subject to a fine of $500-$1,250 at the discretion of the presiding judge.
A public hearing on the ordinance will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20 in Commission Chambers at Longport Borough Hall, 2305 Atlantic Ave.
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