Mayor Carmen Amato, Police Chief Karin DiMichele and the Berkeley Township Office of Emergency Management announced the following plan to allow residents the ability to access their homes in South Seaside Park. All plans had to be approved by the state Department of Transportation:
According to the press release from Amato:
"This will be a multiple-phase process that applies to all homes on the barrier island. The following dates are allotted to provide access for a brief visit and the ability to collect belongings.
Please note: Visits are dependent on SAFE WEATHER conditions and specific guidelines:
1. Bus registration will start at 8:30 a.m. and buses will depart at 9:15 a.m. from the Ocean County Mall parking lot. No personal vehicles will be permitted to drive over the bridge.
2. You must have proof of residency (i.e. driver’s license, tax bill or utility bill). It will be checked and collected prior to loading onto the bus. All credentials will be returned when you return to the bus for departure.
3. You may remain in your homes for the entire time allotted but must be back on the bus by 2 p.m. The buses will drive down the designated streets to assist with loading of residents and luggage.
4. Only 2 people per household.
5. You may only bring one suitcase per person, which must be labeled with name and address. We suggest you also bring contractor garbage bags, duct tape and sharpie marker.
6. Residents may use this opportunity to winterize their home. Residents may bring the antifreeze to complete this process, but it must be packed in the suitcase that they are bringing for their belongings. Remember that there is a time limit.
7. We are trying to accommodate all residents and need you to adhere to the schedule:
- Friday, Nov. 9: All residents of 20th-24th from the ocean to the bay.
- Saturday, Nov. 10: All residents from Millers Camp, Shore Villas, 15th Ave, Beach Drive, Surf Drive, Anchor Drive, Midway Ave, Kathryn Ave, Sprague Ave.
- Sunday, Nov. 11: All of the lanes on Midway Beach, Roberts Ave, Gerard Ave.
Residents seeking further information are advised to check the township police department's Facebook page, which gets updated frequently.
