Politics & Government
UPDATE: Toms River Homeowners Can Take Cars to Parts of Barrier Islands Saturday, Sunday
Residents north of Lavallette can bring one car per household between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. this weekend, but access will depend upon where the home is located.
Entry to parts of the township north of Lavallette will enter another phase this weekend when residents can visit sections of the storm-ravaged peninsula in their own cars between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the Toms River Township's Website.
This gives residents an opportunity for more extensive remediation and preparing their homes for winter. Large moving vans will not be allowed entry.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, residents from the following sections will be able to visit: Shore Way (Lavallette Border) North to Strickland Blvd.; Ocean Beach Units 1, 2, and 3; Ocean Beach Shores; Seacrest Beach; Sunset Manor Shores; Monterey Beach; and Ocean Beach Peninsula (Bayside).
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Sunday, Nov. 18, residents of the following sections will be able to visit: Strickland Blvd North to 6th Avenue; Normandy (Brick border); Chadwick Beach; Normandy Shores; Chadwick Beach Island; Normandy Beach; and Silver Beach.
Residents that do not follow their designated day of entry will not be permitted access, the township said.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Residents of those sections of the township should line up at the foot of the Route 37 bridge until 2 p.m. Starting at 2 p.m. those days, the roadways will be used for heavy equipment, the township said.
Residents will need identification and proof of ownership for the home being entered -- a tax bill or utility bill -- and police will do additional checks at homes. One car per household is permitted, but residents can come and go throughout the day.
Residents should work with homeowners' associations to have contractors on site to assist with winterization, but contractors will not be allowed to solicit jobs. Insurance adjusters are also permitted to see customers those days.
No utilities are functioning on the island, so residents will be unable to run water or flush toilets, the township said.
The township warned that the roads are narrow in many areas of the barrier islands in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
The township said some of the homes that were dislodged from foundations and were in roadways and others were washed on other properties. Some homes are not safe to enter and have been marked by the township.
Those homeowners should discuss their options with their insurance carriers about gaining access to their property, the township said.
