Village of Atlantic Beach Nov. Notebook: Generator Restrictions and Political Signs

Several warm days this fall extended Atlantic Beach’s busy season into the early days of November, causing heavier trafficked streets and an unusually active month for the village. 

“There has been nice weather and a lot more people are on the beaches than usual,” Atlantic Beach Rescue Squad’s Neil Metz said at the board of trustees meeting on Monday.

Metz reported three major car accidents on Beach Street last month and the Fourth Precinct handed out significantly more speeding tickets.

Generator Regulations

Village trustees at Monday’s meeting passed new regulations on home generators in response to recent power outages and noise complaints in the area. 

Permanent and temporary generators must now be placed within 4 feet from the homeowner’s front property line and no more than 5 feet from the sides and rear.

“There have been a lot of complaints about noise from generators,” Mayor Stephen Mahler said. “This will just make them closer to homes.”

Steve Cherson, the village’s public works superintendent, explained that apart from complaints of village residents, power outages caused by Hurricane Irene and the recent snowstorm have prompted the board to take action.

“With all of these recent power outages, there was no law to regulate the generators,” Cherson said.

Political Signs

Several complaints of oversized political signs obstructing street and pedestrian traffic in Atlantic Beach during past elections fueled the board of trustees to create new restrictions.

“This was the most complicated case law you can possibly imagine,” Mahler said. 

Residents are now restricted from displaying political signs more than 60 days prior to elections and keeping them up for more than five days after. Signs may not exceed a maximum of 4 square feet.

The law carries a $500 fine for every week any political sign violates the new provisions.

Police Report

The Fourth Precinct’s Officer Merckling reported 113 moving violations for the month of October in Atlantic Beach, sending a wave of relief over the board of trustees, who in the past months have sought increased police patrol. 

Atlantic Beach 50th Anniversary

Susan Jaffe, the Atlantic Beach resident in charge of the village’s 50th anniversary celebration, sent out save-the-date mailers to residents and is currently seeking funding for the event on June 21.

“The concern is to start strategizing ways of raising money,” Jaffe said. “We wont be able to do all of it without fundraising.”