Signs Up, Signs Down!

Owing to the extraordinary snowfall Woodbridge Township, like so many other areas, has suffered this winter, many of our roadways were clogged with snow.

In certain areas of the township, streets have signs indicating: No Parking When Street is Snow Covered.  Too be sure, such signage helps to facilitate plowing of those roadways.  But are all those signs legal?  The answer is NO!

On one street in Fords, had "no parking when street is snow covered" signs installed a few years ago.  But they were installed without the township’s Ordinance being update to cover the street in question.  Absent of the town council’s modification of the existing Ordinance, or their promulgation of a new Ordinance, the signage was legally unenforceable.

After contacting Mr. Bob Hubner, Director of Police, Township of Woodbridge, a review of the signage in question was undertaken.  Apparently, since the police came around this morning to take down the signs, Director Hubner’s investigation showed the sign need to be removed.  I applauded the Director and his department for the due diligence done on this matter.  

By copy of this blog to the Director, the mayor’s office and the township’s town council members, it is requested that a review of all signage throughout the township be undertaken to ensure the legality of the signs.  The review should also consider which roadways in the township are in need of signs that will facilitate snow removal, firefighting equipment access, and other public safety concerns.  It is further suggested the township consider designating as many streets/roadways as practicable with alternate side of the street parking signs, during snow storms.  Such signage would allow the plows to clear one side of a street one day and the other side the next.

A note of advise to readers.  If you get a citation for failing to obey a traffic sign, check at the town clerk's office to ensure there is an Ordinance covering the installation of the sign. A search for an Ordinance covering the sign can also be done online, but asking the town clerk is easier.  A little investigation time could save you $$$'s!