[Ord #2348,[1] 9-27-2016, adopted]
[1]
Editor’s Note: this ordinance also repealed former Section 18-4, Snow Emergencies, adopted by Ord. #467.
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SNOW
Precipitation depositing any accumulation on the streets, such as snow, sleet, hail, slush and ice.
SNOW EMERGENCY
That street conditions are hazardous and dangerous to vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to snow event as defined in this section.
VEHICLES
All self-propelled motorized vehicles using Township streets.
A snow emergency shall automatically be in effect upon snow accumulation on streets. Snow is defined in Subsection 18-4.1, Definitions. This shall constitute a formal declaration of a snow emergency and therefore employ the provisions in this section.
a. 
No parking on snow-covered streets; exceptions; snow parking violations and penalties.
1. 
It is the purpose and intent of this section, in the interests of public safety and the general welfare of the Township, to facilitate snow removal from curb to curb on public streets of the Township as efficiently and expeditiously as possible after it snows.
2. 
No person shall park a vehicle upon either side of any public street or allow any portion of a vehicle to extend into the roadway or obstruct any sidewalk or bikeway at any time when snow has covered the roadway sufficient to obscure road markings.
3. 
The above parking prohibition shall remain in effect for a period of 12 hours after the snow has ceased, subject to extension by the Township Administrator in the event snow has not been completely cleared. Any extension shall be posted on the Township website.
4. 
The Township shall erect and maintain regulatory and warning signs in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-138 at major street entrances to the Township for motor vehicles. Signs for exempt streets shall be posted. Notice of said parking prohibition shall be deemed adequate by the placement of said signs and when posted on the Township website.
a. 
The Bernards Township Department of Public Works provides snow clearing on primary and secondary routes as delineated on the map entitled "Bernards Township School Routes and Snow Removal." The Township Committee may, as necessary, update the map by resolution.
b. 
While it is the intent for the Township to facilitate the sidewalk snow clearing as soon as possible, it is the nature of the Township's operation that these many miles of sidewalks take time and may need to be recleared due to the snow push back by roadway plowing. As such, any placement of snow on driveways during our sidewalk clearing operation shall not be the responsibility of the Township to clear.
a. 
Any man-made improvements, such as sports equipment including but not limited to basketball nets, hockey goals, ornamental light posts, mailboxes, ornamental landscaping, ornamental walls, placed in the right-of-way that are damaged by Bernards Township personnel during Department of Public Works snow removal operations shall neither be reimbursable nor the responsibility of the Township.
a. 
Upon the declaration of a general emergency, there shall be no parking upon streets or parts of streets where temporary emergency no-parking signs are displayed. The Chief of Police, or in his absence the ranking police officer, is authorized to declare an emergency and to direct the posting of said emergency no-parking signs when weather conditions, accidents, fires or public celebrations dictate or require the avoidance of hazards or other conditions which interfere with the free flow of traffic.
b. 
Notification attempt that the emergency no-parking signs are being or will be posted shall be given to the operator or owner of any vehicle which has been parked prior to the posting of the signs.
a. 
Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation of this article shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic, and any police officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage, which may result from such removal, before regaining possession of the vehicle.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of $100 for the first offense, and a fine not to exceed $500 for each offense thereafter occurring within six months of the previous offense. Each day on which a violation of an ordinance exists shall be considered a separate and distinct violation and shall be subject to imposition.