News Archive

2008 News Archives
6/30/08	Boynton Beach Fire/Rescue Department Insurance Rating and Alarm Ordinance Although your Police Department also responds to these calls, Ocean Ridge contracts with the Boynton Beach Fire/Rescue Department to handle fire alarms, smoke conditions, fires, and sick/injured persons. Two things have occurred recently that the residents of Ocean Ridge should be aware of; namely, BBF/RD’s upgraded insurance rating and their alarm ordinance. All Fire Departments are rated by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) on a scale of 1-10; with 1 being the best. Last month, BBF/RD’s rating rose from a 4 to a 2. This is of significance to every homeowner in Town because property insurance premiums are based on the ISO rating. You are encouraged to contact your insurance company to let them know of this change and you may find that your premium will be lowered. Those of you who have a monitored fire alarm system have probably received a letter from BBF/RD regarding Boynton’s Alarm Ordinance. We have received many phone calls asking if the letter and the cost for the alarm permit outlined therein are legitimate. The answer is Yes! A part of the contract between the municipalities required that Ocean Ridge comply with all related Boynton Beach ordinances. Therefore, you are responsible for this one time fee.
6/25/08	Garbage and Trash Service Regular trash and recycle collection will be picked up as scheduled on Friday, July 4th.
6/24/08	Boynton Beach Independence Day Celebration 6:30-9:30pm. Gates open at 6pm. Fireworks at 9pm. Intracoastal Park 2240 N. Federal Hwy. For more information click title or call 561-742-6246.
6/18/08	Tree-Trimming Contractor List Do not attempt to trim any vegetation growing on or near any overhead power lines. Only specially trained line-clearing professionals should work around power lines. Click on title to access listed provided by FPL.
6/17/08	Flood and Hurricane Awareness Expo Saturday, June 28, 2008, Boynton Beach Mall, 10a-3pm Mike Lyons from Channel 25, representatives from municipalities and public sectors will be there to answer questions about flood insurance and hurricane information.
6/13/08	Water Main Break - Inlet Cay Island - Boil Water Alert BOIL WATER ALERT: There has been a water main break on Inlet Cay Island. All residents on Inlet Cay Drive, Eleuthera Drive, Bimini Cove Drive and Spanish River Drive are affected. Water will be turned off for a couple of hours. Please check our website at www.oceanridgeflorida.com or call Town Hall at 561-732-2635 or the Police Department at 561-732-8331 (after 3pm) for updates. BOIL WATER ALERT LIFTED 6/13/08 at 6:15pm.
6/12/08	Road and Bridge Closures 6/13-7/2 North Ocean Blvd. (A1A), north of The Inlet, will be closed due to work in Manalapan. Please use an alternate route. 6/2-9/9 Woolbright Bridge closed for repairs. Please use Ocean Avenue.
6/12/08	"All American Cleanup" -- Sand Sifters Volunteer Information
6/6/08	Volunteer Training Seminar - Medical Disaster Readiness Plan/PODS Volunteer information open to Ocean Ridge residents.
5/30/08	Mayor Ken Kaleel became the new president of the Palm Beach League of Cities on May 23. This is the first time that an official from Ocean Ridge has served as president.
5/23/08	Hurricane Preparedness Letter from Chief Hillery Informative letter from Chief Hillery to all residents.
5/19/08	Flood Hazard Information Letter Many people do not realize that homeowner's insurance does not cover losses due to flooding. Informing yourself about flood protection is very important for protecting your family, possessions, and home. The following information is provided to assist you in increasing your awareness about flood protection.
5/19/08	Hurricane Season – June 1 through November 30 June 1^st begins the Atlantic Hurricane season. If you have not prepared, there is still time to create a plan and supplies kit with everything you need. The Town’s website provides a plethora of information on hurricane preparedness. Below you may access the Town’s website by clicking on the first link. Additionally, there are other links to the Police Chief’s letter, hurricane guide, and information on Hurricane Preparedness Week. · Town Of Ocean Ridge Hurricane Information · Hurricane Preparedness Week May 25-31 · Hurricane Preparedness Guides (2008) · Hurricane Preparedness Letter from Police Chief Hillery Please note that Woolbright Bridge will not be an evacuation route while bridge is undergoing repairs from June-Sept. Please use Ocean Avenue.
5/19/08	Former Town Manager Bill Mathis has returned on an interim basis during Town Manager Ken Schenck's absence. Ken Schenck will be out for at least a month.
5/6/08	News Alert from Police Chief Hillery
5/5/08	Woolbright Bridge Temporary Closing
5/1/08	Memo from Town Manager: Spraying for Mosquitoes and No-Seeums
4/18/08	Town Logo Contest The Town Commission of Ocean Ridge wishes to change the Town logo to show a more updated and appropriate design. They have decided to have a contest in order to get ideas for the logo. Anyone interested in submitting their idea for the new Town logo must submit it to the Town Clerk by July 1, 2008. The Commission will then review the submittals. Prize to be awarded.
4/10/08	New water restrictions begin April 18. Odd numbered addresses would be allowed to water on Wednesdays and Saturdays and even numbered addresses would water on Thursdays and Sundays. Watering would be allowed between 12 a.m. and 10 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Hand-watering with one hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is allowed for 10 minutes per day for landscape stress relief and to prevent plant die-off. Additional watering days and times are allocated for the establishment of new lawns and landscapes. No restrictions apply to other outside water uses, such as for car and boat washing, pressure cleaning of paved surfaces, decorative fountains and water-based recreation (e.g. swimming pools, water slides.)
4/3/08	Turtle Season March 1- October 31 Town's Code: Chapter 66, Sec. 66-2 Protection of Sea Turtles (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect the threatened and endangered sea turtles which nest along the beaches of the town, by safeguarding the sea turtles and hatchlings. For the purposes of this article the area comprised of the dry sandy beach and the dunes is a protected area. (b) Lighting restrictions along beach. All oceanfront property owners must ensure that no artificial light illuminates any part of the protected area which may be used for turtle nesting and hatchlings. In order to accomplish this, all lighting must be positioned or shielded so that the light is not a visible source from the beach or is not a source that indirectly illuminates areas seaward of the crest of dune or seawall during the night period from March 1 to October 31 of each year. The night period is defined for purposes of this section as being that time after sunset through sunrise. (c) Site plan review. For future oceanfront development the administrative official shall proposed site plans to ensure that artificial light sources are positioned or shielded so as to not illuminate any area of the beach which may be used for sea turtle nesting and hatchlings. Site plan review and approval are required prior to the issuance of a building permit. The site plan shall include and illustrate all exterior lights and windows within line of sight of the beach. Light and window tinting information shall include: (1) The location, number, wattage, elevation, orientation, fixture cut sheets, photometric illustrations and all type(s) of proposed artificial light sources. Artificial light sources shall include, but are not limited to, floodlights, spotlights, temporary security lights, those used on balconies, walkways, recreation areas, roadways, parking lots, dune crossovers, decks, boardwalks and signs. (2) Protective/mitigative measures to minimize lighting impacts on sea turtles, including measures to prevent direct and indirect illumination of areas seaward of the crest of the dune. (3) Window tinting specifications for all windows and doors within line of sight of the beach including percentage of visible light transmittance, which must be 45 percent or less. (4) Streetlights shall be located so that their illumination will travel away from the protected area. Such lights shall be equipped with shades or shields that will, to the extent practical, prevent back-lighting and render such lights not visible from the beach. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the town manager may authorize an exception where documented criminal activity has occurred within one year of its administration, or where public safety requires. (5) Lights at parks or other public beach access points shall be properly positioned or shielded, or, to the extent the lights are determined by the town not to be necessary for public safety purposes, shall not be utilized during the period from March 1 to October 31 of each year. (6) Artificial lighting for decorative or accent purposes and uplights shall not be permitted within the protected area. (d) Damage to sea turtles. In addition to any other requirements of federal, state or countywide laws or ordinances, it shall be a violation of this land development code to damage, or disturb sea turtle nests, or to damage, disturb or destroy sea turtles or hatchlings. The director of public safety shall assure that the state department of environmental protection is notified of any and all violations of this section. (e) Prohibition against removal of beach and sand dunes from coastal area. No person or property owner shall remove any part of the beach or sand dunes from the protected area. For more information, visit myfwc.com/seaturtle Boaters Beware of Migrating Manatees The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers the following steps to avoid harming the endangered manatee: Stay in marked channels Wear polarized sunglasses to improve vision Obey posted boat speed zones Use poles, paddles, or trolling motors when close to manatees For more information, visit myfwc.com/manatee
3/18/08	Earth Hour is on March 29. There are two key objectives for Earth Hour. The first is to engage as many households, communities and business to turn their lights out for one hour on March 29 2008 from 8pm– 9pm. If you would like to participate, go to www.earthhour.org
2/07/08	The town's dredging project will operate 24 hours a day starting Feb. 15. The project helps prevent erosion by moving sand from the north end of town near the Boynton Inlet to the south end. The Department of Environmental Resources Management requested extending the project's hours beyond dusk, because it wants to move as much as possible before the turtle nesting season begins in March, when they will have to stop dredging. The Town Commission allowed the department to continue with the project at Monday's meeting, on the condition that the bulldozing will stop if it disturbs residents. Residents can contact Town Hall at 561-732-2635 if the bulldozing work becomes bothersome. (source: Sun-Sentinel.com)
02/04/08	Town Manager's Update for February 2008
2/7/08 Update 12/10/07	2008 Municipal Election Elección Municipal 2008 a. Proclamation for Election held on February 12, 2008 Proclamación para elección sostenida el 12 de febrero de 2008 b. Two Commission Seats for Three Year Terms Each Comisión dos puestos para tres años cada uno c. Candidate Filing Dates run December 21, 2007 through 3:00p.m. on January 18, 2008 Las fechas de la clasificacion del candidate corren el 21 de diciembre de 2007 por 3:00p.m. en el de enero de 2008. Sample Ballot: English Spanish
8/22/07	Supervisor of Elections has scheduled Voter Information Workshops in public libraries and participating library cooperatives across the county. The workshops will be held August 2007 - October 2008 and will include voter registration, absentee ballot requests, and demonstrations on the current voting system. For more information please visit Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. Click on "community calendar" to view the dates and locations of the Library Voter Information Workshops.