Council Meeting 10-2-2025

for October 2nd, 2025 meeting. Mayor,
can you lead us in the flag?
>> To the flag of the United States of
America and to the stand,
indivisible with justice for all.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> here.
>> Evans, here.
Austin Light
>> here.
>> Parker here. Sykes
>> here. Dr. Rose
>> here. This is to advise that certain
advanced notice has been given to the
date, time, location, and to the extent
known the agenda of this meeting in
accordance with the provisions of the
open public meeting act. And notice of
this meeting has been posted permanently
at the bulletin board of the municipal
complex lobby on the city's website and
communicated in the newspaper designated
by the governing body. This is to
further advise that this meeting is
being recorded electronically and can be
viewed on the city's website at
obsecanj.gov.
Uh, welcome everybody. Uh, see some new
faces tonight. Just really quick, we'll
go through our uh, ordinances for
introduction. Then we're going to go
into what's called a consent agenda. We
will open to the public for only those
agenda items. And then once we close
that part of the meeting, we'll finalize
a few other things, have a little few
committee reports, and then it'll be
open to the public for any questions you
may have. So, if you're here for an
agenda item, it would be the first
public comment. If you're here for
anything else under the moon, it would
be the second public comment. And I'll
get through this as fast as I can to get
to your questions.
2025 ordinances for introduction.
Ordinance 13205,
an ordinance establishing salary ranges
for the city of Obsecin. May I hear a
motion? Motion.
>> Second. Discussion, please. This comes
up every once in a while. It's whether
you're hiring a new employee or
somebody's getting promoted or uh
positions going from part-time to
full-time or full-time to part-time. You
just have to update the general uh
salary ordinance and that's what this
is. Anybody on council have any
questions? Nope.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker, yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Dro,
>> yes. This ordinance will be posted, laid
over, and published according to law. A
public hearing, second and final reading
will be held on October 16th, 2025.
Bond ordinance
14, 2025. Bond ordinance providing for
the 2024 road program appropriating $1
million therefore and authorizing the
issuance of a $950,000 bond or notes of
the city to finance part of the cost
thereof. May I hear a motion?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
This uh bond ordinance as it
states in the uh title was from 2024. Um
there was a error uh when submitting
from uh previous staff and this is just
to clarify um the bond ordinance. So the
ordinance was part of 2024. This is
ensuring that it's appropriately
recorded.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Blight,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes. Sykes.
>> Yes.
>> D Rose.
>> Yes. This ordinance will be posted, laid
over, and published according to law. A
public hearing, second, and final
reading will be held on October 16th,
2025.
Amending the code of the city of Ebin,
chapter 69, article 5,69-35,
payment of offduty assignments. Do I
hear a motion for the second reading of
this ordinance, 12-2025? Motion. A
second.
>> Roll call, please.
Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans, yes. Wright,
>> yes.
>> Parker, yes. Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Ordinance 12-2025, amending the
code of the city of EPS, chapter 69,
article 569-35,
payment of offduty assignments. May I
hear a motion to open the meeting to the
public for comment or discussion of this
ordinance?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Would anybody like to come up
and speak specific to this ordinance?
Essentially, this ordinance is bringing
Obin police officers pay when they're
doing um assignments like uh for a
contractor or an electric company or a
utility company uh to bring them in line
with the surrounding municipalities as
well.
Any takers? May I hear a motion to close
this to the public?
>> Motion. Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. May I hear a motion for the
final reading and adoption of ordinance
12-2025?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Zos,
>> yes. Ordinance 12-2025, amending the
code of the city of Obssein, chapter 69,
article 569-35,
payment of the offduty assignments. This
ordinance has been heard and approved.
May I hear a motion to add resolution
176-2025
authorizing the sale of certain
city-owned lands to the consent to Oh,
never mind. I'm pulling
>> that one is
>> Oh, that one is right. Yes. Roll call,
please.
>> First and second motion.
>> The motion, please.
>> Which Which one is this?
>> Is there 176 is what we've already sold.
>> Correct. Yes. Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Light,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Sur,
>> yes. Consent agenda. All matters listed
under item consent agenda are considered
to be routine by the city council and
will be enacted by one motion in the
form listed. There will be no separate
discussion of these items. If discussion
is desired, that item may be removed
from the consent agenda and will be
discussed separately. I'd like to remove
item 175 authorizing the sale of certain
city- owned land from the consent agenda
and could be discussed after the consent
agenda.
>> Okay.
>> 175.
>> Okay. Perfect. Thank you.
>> Okay. Consent agenda 169 authorizing the
increase of resolution 129-2025
by $7,000 for uniforms and for various
departments.
70 approving the assertion of special
item of revenue into the 2025 municipal
budget to allow for the receipt of
$9,23.79
from the state of New Jersey highway
traffic safety. 171 authorizing the
assignment of leans. 172 appointing a
construction official part-time for the
city of EPSCA.
173 approving the insertion of special
item of revenue into the 2025 municipal
budget to allow for the receipt of
$69,741
from the Atlantic County Improvement
Authority. 174 authorizing the city of
Abseen to award a contract for the city
hall ADA accessible ramp. 76 authorizing
the sale of certain city- owned land. Do
I hear a motion to open this meeting to
the public for these agenda items only?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I opposed. Would anybody from the public
like to come up and speak specific to
this matter?
Don't all get up at once. Do I hear a
motion to close the meeting to the
public?
>> Motion. Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I
>> opposed.
Okay. And then we'll just have to go
back to the other one, right?
>> Yeah.
>> All right. 2025 ordinance for or
resolution for introduction.
>> Do you want to do the consent?
>> Oh, you want to just move it first? Yes.
Okay.
>> We'll just move it first. Yep.
>> Okay.
>> May I hear a motion to move the consent
agenda?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes. White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sikes,
>> yes. zero.
>> Yes. John, do you want to explain to
council and the public on what just
happened?
>> So, the reason we removed resolution 175
from the consent agenda, this is a
separate resolution for the sale of a
city-owned lot. The reason it was
removed was we didn't have a minimum bid
inserted into that, which council needs
to decide upon before we can motion,
second, and then uh resolve to to go to
auction. So, um the block and lot is
block 29.01, lot 2. I don't have and I
hadn't received before tonight an exact
assessed value for the lot, but taking a
look online. Uh my understanding and
recollection is that the assessed value
is 242,500.
So, so that's what you're sitting on
now. You can start the bid at that
number or above it. It's completely
within your discretion. So, that's what
we need to decide at this point.
>> I think when we met at public works, I
think we talked about it briefly was
that we're going to start around 250.
>> 250 works.
>> So, uh
>> any council members have a question? So
maybe it would be helpful for the
public. I I don't know if we mentioned
it's the it's the lot across the street
from the tennis courts on correct on um
10th Avenue. Yes.
>> The wooded lot.
>> Does anybody have a different of
opinion? Starting bid at 250,000.
>> Okay. So if that's the case, we'll
insert 250 as the minimum bid number and
you can now act on it through motion
second and then just a vote of the
council. May I hear a motion to move the
resolution 175
2025?
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Yes.
>> Approval of the bill list.
1,34374,451.85.
May I hear a motion to accept the bill
list?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please. Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> White,
>> yes.
>> Parker, yes. Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Yes. Approval of the minutes. Close
session as to form and content only for
September 4th, 2025 and regular meeting
minutes from September 18th, 2025. May I
hear a motion to accept these minutes?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> Roll call, please.
>> Clark,
>> yes.
>> Evans,
>> yes.
>> Wright,
>> yes.
>> Parker,
>> yes.
>> Sykes,
>> yes.
>> Yes. All right, council reports. I'm
going as fast as I can, folks. Uh,
council reports. We'll start with uh,
Councilman Sykes.
>> Uh, we have not met since the last
meeting, so we uh, not much to report
right now. We're going to meet again the
third Tuesday of this month.
>> Thank you very much, Councilwoman.
>> We also have not met since our last
meeting. Uh we are meeting on Monday at
6:00 p.m. Um all I have to report is um
this Saturday uh the FC Police
Department will be putting on a movie in
the park um at the Field of Dreams and
Chief Tally from the fire department
asked me to mention that October 15th
they're having an open house for fire
prevention. There will be several
demonstrations um and it'll be from 6:00
p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on October 15th.
And Chief, do you have anything to add?
Yeah, please come out and support the
movie. Um,
>> we were supposed to have the movie last
week. The rain uh delayed it. I think
it's going to be a better week. I
believe the the Blue Devils might have a
buy this week. You do?
>> That's correct.
>> Yeah.
>> So, uh, the weather's great. It's nice
and cool. And, uh, come out and enjoy
the movie at the Field of Dreams.
>> What's the time again for that, Chief?
>> 6:30 the movie starts.
>> Thank you.
The only other thing I have is is uh you
know I like to warn everybody uh all the
time with with the uh the speeding and
and the pedestrians.
Uh so
the last thing I want to say is is um
there's a lot of buzz and a lot of
concern about an ongoing investigation
that the police department is conducting
over a canine. Please be patient and
allow us to do our job. If anybody has
any information in regards to that,
please contact the police department and
um in due time we'll have our
investigation completely finished.
>> That's all I have. Any questions?
>> Good here. Thanks, Chief. Councilwoman,
anything else?
>> No, that's it. Thank you,
>> Counciloman.
>> Um so, we community affairs, we had our
meeting this evening. Um we just did a
recap of uh Creekfest. Uh it was a
beautiful day. Those of you who came out
and enjoyed it, it was uh fun time had
by all. We're just uh talking about pros
and cons for next year. Um the planning
will start now for next year. Uh the
only thing else uh we have art in the
park which is October 11th here at
Heritage Park. Um we have a shredding
event that's coming up November 22nd
and more items to come.
>> Sounds good. Thank you. Councilman
Finance will meet in two weeks, October
16th, and we have our meeting uh
Thursday before uh council meeting at
5:00. And we will also be dealing with
right now budget season. So, we are
working with different departments right
now to finalize budgets for next year.
And we are also looking at stopping some
of the spending going forward for
certain budgets. Again, special approval
for things going forward to try to keep
us in line and start minimizing and
planning for the future of next year to
make sure we're in a better situation
than where we were this year. Thank you,
sir. Councilman,
>> Mr. President, good evening. Um, public
works report. We have it. We will meet
next Monday at 5:00 here. Um,
I'd like to uh thank our public works as
always to how they keep our parks, how
they keep the city. I know we are at a
and I say this all the time, we have a
very small crew. They are very
effective. They save the city a lot of
money. Um, they do not actually
outsource anything more than they have
to. So, I appreciate everything that
they do. And then I did follow up. I had
a a resident with a concern on Davis
Avenue. I won't say the address or the
person's name, but he did follow up with
them. They had a concern on a tree that
was in a common area, not quite on their
property, and potentially was on city
property. So, we'll get it we'll get an
assessment and we'll figure out what we
need to do moving forward. So, thank
you. again. We meet on this uh we meet
on the 6th at 5:00 here. The public is
welcome. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
>> Uh I see a lot of excited faces out
there that probably want to get up and
talk and don't want to listen to me. And
>> that's why I skip myself, too.
>> Yeah. So, I will uh just say I'm going
to hand it off to our engineer. Well,
you have to officially do that, but I'm
hoping maybe you have some really great
insights for us. But thank you all for
coming. Thank you, Mayor
>> Ed. Engineer.
>> So, I was going to wait to the my end of
my report, but I know what the mayor is
alluding to. So, um the mayor took the
opportunity recently to reach out to the
county administrator regarding our
project on Shore Road and was able to
get us a meeting next week uh with the
county administrator, our our team, and
the county engineers office to review
the final plans, specs, everything
that's been submitted over to the
county. All the changes have been made.
Um, so we're really hoping we come out
of this meeting with a a something set
in stone as far as a bid schedule. Um,
but you know, we've done everything on
our end. So now the ball's in the
county's court and sounds like they're
ready to talk and to get this thing out
to bid. So huge deal. Um, and again for
the public that is to raise Shore Road
um in the area of Ohio Avenue where it
constantly floods. So we'll be raising
that road between a foot and two feet um
which will make a huge difference on
>> what we were told couldn't be done.
Correct. We are doing
>> That's right. So, that was a major uh a
major milestone. And then just a couple
other quick updates. Um resolution was
on the agenda and passed to award a
contract for what it says on the agenda
of the city hall 88 ADA accessible ramp.
That project also includes some
renovations in the lobby here um to make
the building more ADA compliant. Um so,
the vestibule will be upgraded to
current standards as far as
accessibility. So, we're excited to move
forward with that project. We have the
flashing crosswalk sign going up on New
Jersey Avenue. Just still waiting for
our county uh road permit to get that
work done. It'll be a quick project once
we have our permit from the county. Um
we have two bid openings on Tuesday, the
25 row program and the Delaware Avenue
project. We're opening bids for both
those projects Tuesday morning so we can
we can get those projects into
construction. And that's all I have.
>> Thank you, sir. Yep.
>> Jessica, administrator report.
>> Uh Tuesday we had the retirement of our
longtime construction official. We're
wishing him the best in the new chapter
of his life. Um we're also welcoming our
new construction official uh Mr. Patalia
to the city of Abskin. A reminder that
fourth quarter sewer bills were due
October 1st, but we have a 10day grace
period before penalties are applied. And
lastly, we've been getting a lot of
calls and public works will begin
curbside leaf collection on November the
3rd.
>> Awesome. Thank you, Jessica. And here we
are. May I hear a motion to open the
meeting to the public?
>> Motion. Second. All in favor?
>> I opposed.
>> Would anybody from the public like to
come up and speak on anything at all
that you'd like?
>> Sorry it takes this long. We have to
follow the
You just provide your your name and
address when you come up to
800 Shelburn Avenue.
So, uh, forbid me for, uh, for sure,
>> forgive me for, uh, reading, but I'm
here today to assist council on finally
solving the problem of seed of the
speeding through the estate neighborhood
on Highland Boulevard and Morton Avenue.
Everyone knows that cars, buses, work
trucks do not follow the speed limit
from New Jersey Avenue to the four-way
stop and back from 10th to New Jersey
Avenue. I gave council results of a
census that I had last fall of 15
residents indicating their preference of
stop signs, speed bumps back in January.
All of them were thankful that someone
was finally tackling the problems.
All the residents with access to both
streets know there's a problem. Council
knows there's a problem and above all
our police department know it's a huge
problem. Let's solve the problem. Let's
talk stop signs. We're asking for two
stop signs on Boulevard and two on
Morton. This will put an end to the
problem forever. I've been told by
council you can't put it in a stop sign
to reduce speeding in New Jersey. I'm
sure you're not aware of it, but
Bahhatcon Township in northern New
Jersey just placed 22 stop signs in one
development to reduce speeding. I called
and spoke to their city engineer. He
agreed that you can't place a stop sign
just for speeding. But he said he got
around that issue and the warrants
attached to that issue because Pohhaton
residents called cited pedestrian
activity, poor sight lines, traffic
volume and speeding for the reasons of
the stop sign. Both Highland and Morton
have all of these issues. His name is
Wayne Ingram and his number is
7323129800
if you wish to speak to him. He's a nice
gentleman.
>> Now, let's talk about the placement of
these signs.
I recommend one on Chelsea and Highland
and one on Chelsea and Morton. Why
Chelsea? Chelsea Avenue crosses both
Morton and Highland. School children
cross both streets in order to access
the bike path from 15th Street two times
a day. And Chelsea Road is the only
street with access to Highland and
Morton from Mill Road. Placing a stops
sign in Chelsea will eliminate the
problem of speeding from the four-way to
Chelsea and back. You can just put signs
on Chelsea. It won't solve the problem
of speeding from New Jersey Avenue to
Chelsea on both roads.
To alleviate the problem of speeding
from New Jersey Avenue to Chelsea on
Highland, the other stop sign should be
on Shelurn. If you drive down Ambassador
and you make the right or left on the
Shelburn and go towards Highland Avenue,
there's a huge visibility problem on the
right. Your car has to be practically in
the bike lane to see if anyone is coming
down Highland from 10.
Let's talk speed bumps. I was told by
council that Highland was too wide for a
speed bump. If you were to place the
speed bump between the inner lines of
the bike lanes, that would negate that
argument.
Look, we have a beautiful and wide bike
lane bike lanes on New Jersey Avenue,
excuse me, on Highland Boulevard that
are used that are not used as residents
because they don't want to be walking,
riding bikes, pushing baby carriages
next to vehicles going 35 to 50 miles an
hour. Morton Avenue has no room for
biking and or walking. There are no bike
lanes and some of Morton has no
sidewalks. I guarantee the guarantee you
that one stop sign won't be sufficient
to alleviate the problem and that two
will solve the problem forever. A police
presence is just that and people slow
down when seeing the police vehicle.
When no police presence there, the
result is there's no slowdown. I'd like
to know how much does it cost for one
sign.
My last question is what is the downside
of putting in two stop signs on both
streets which would enhance public
safety and put an end to this forever?
>> Really quick sir, um I thought I wrote
down initially four stop signs but then
I only wrote three specific which
>> well the other uh there is no sight
problem on Morton Avenue but there is
two streets. I was told by council that
that four-way stop sign that we have
somewhere in the middle of I'm seeking
the states um that it was there because
there were two streets coming together.
So you have Shelburn and you have
Traymore. There's two streets coming
together on Morton.
>> Oh Shelurn. Okay.
>> So if you put it there so basically it's
it's two stop signs on Shelurn and two
stop signs on Chelsea
um for both streets and it will solve
the problem forever.
That's all. Good. All right. So, Ron, I
know you and I spoke a few times on this
and we last we spoke was in August and
we had no public works meeting in August
to address it and Labor Day's public
works meeting fell sorry September's
public works meeting fell on Labor Day.
So, we did not meet again. In the
meantime, uh Ed, his partner Nick,
myself, and I think a few other members
from council throughout the time have
spoke about different issues with this
and we've already addressed a few things
and we put in for a you want to talk
about the grant for the public safety
grant for next street.
>> We met in I think February earlier this
year. Um, and based on some of the
feedback you provided, uh, we took a
look at it at the public works committee
and decided that, you know, to go, I
would say, above and beyond some of the
suggestions that you're making, we
applied for $800,000 to install a
sidewalk all along Highland Boulevard
and on Morton Avenue where the sidewalk
is missing. Um, that grant application
was submitted to the DOT in June and we
hope to hear back by the end of the
year. Um, so that was the grant
application that was submitted and we
are in the process of evaluating
possible multi-way stops at various
locations throughout.
>> We have three locations that we're
talking about the public works meeting
on Monday of which one is on on Highland
in a certain area. So we could I don't
want to talk about now cuz we didn't
vote on it yet, but we did recognize a
an idea and we were going to try there's
three locations we're looking to try
different stop signs at throughout town
and one of the areas was Highland and
one of the streets. And just to clarify
for for the folks because there's a lot
of new folks in here tonight. So the way
epigen government works is you have the
full body council and then there's
committees that are broken up and three
council members sit on each committee
and the committee that Alex is
referencing is the public works
committee and how the government works
in Epsein is an issue like this would go
to the committee the committee the three
council members would work with the
community and um come up with a plan
vote on said plan and then present it to
a full council. Um, so that's that's
kind of the process how it works. And
who's on the
>> Steve, me, and I believe Mike Sucks.
>> Okay.
>> So, we we met just gave you guys
clarification.
>> We met about this because we met with
you. Uh, we recognized that there's uh
speeding and you and I both came to the
agreement that we really couldn't put a
stop sign there because of speeding
directly. And Ed agreed to that, that we
could not do it for that. So, we looked
into reasons why we could do it. And one
of the reasons that we thought would be
important is the fact that there is
school bus stops on that street that
there's a lot of children there and as a
safety precaution to protect the
children that are standing there on
those corners that it would make sense
to consider putting a stop sign in that
area. Plus, there's a sight barrier with
the lot right there and people coming. I
forget what that one street I I can't
say about I can't say the street. So,
but we recognized it. We met with it. We
went over I know Nick and I met over
there to look at the speed hub going
across and the way that a ra it's not a
speed hump sorry it's a raised crosswalk
and the way that it works is it's 5 ft
up and 10 ft across and then 5 ft down
and the length of Highland we thought
based upon their experience that it
would make more sense to try a stop sign
versus a race crosswalk at this time.
So, we decided we would go with the
rate. We would go with the stop sign
first if it gets approved. And then once
we get this grant, we can look at doing
other precautions on that street in
addition to what we already recommended.
So, that's where we're at.
>> I can address
with all due respect, I did go the right
route.
>> Oh, no, no, I wasn't. I'm just
explaining the crowd.
>> I'm just telling you I did go the right
route. Oh, I know you did.
>> I did go and four times I said to them,
"Will somebody get back to me? Will
somebody get back?" That night I got
three emails. They were supposed to get
back to me in June. No one got back to
me. Okay. So, I reached out to Steve and
Alex. Alex called me, which was fine. He
said he'd get back to me in two weeks. I
waited a month. That's why everybody's
here.
>> Well, we used to have we did have a
meeting. That was the problem.
>> I do want to hear what is the downside
to two stop signs. Is it cost?
>> No, it's not that it's cost. It's You
could probably answer better than I
>> mean generally. I mean, so the guidance
is not just the state of New Jersey.
It's actually federal guidance on
warrants for stop multi-way stops or
stop sign placement. Generally, you
don't want to be indiscriminately place
stop signs all over the city because
they lose their
effectiveness, I guess I could say. So,
um, every every application is a case by
case. So, that's what we're evaluating.
We're evaluating this specific.
>> Is that a possibility that we could have
two on each? Cuz it's it's not going to
work. One is not going to work because
people are going to come flying to that
stop sign then flying to 10th Avenue.
would I would I don't want to preempt
the public works committee. I would
suggest if you're available and I know
it's tough if you can make it out to the
meeting. Uh we'll have a detailed
discussion at that meeting.
>> To be clear, the public works meeting is
open to the
>> public.
That's where this all started.
>> So everybody knows it's 5:00 p.m. this
coming Monday.
>> Okay.
>> Just and just to clarify two things.
One, Mr. Ron, I was that was not that
was for the public explaining to them.
And then two, what I will absolutely
emphasize, and we have the bruises and
scars to prove it, this council more
than ever does not
skimp when it comes to public safety.
And money is not a remote issue when it
safety. So, I can assure you whether a
stop sign costs $7 or $7,000, that is
not remotely factored into any decision
when it comes to speeding or public
safety on the streets of MC. So, I just
want to clarify that.
>> So, what happens if we go to public
works and they recommend the four stop
signs? Does it come to council then?
>> Yeah. So, they would then put together
the package and then the cost and then
they would say this is what we recommend
and then just like we voted on things
tonight, we would it would just be added
to the agenda. We would all vote on it.
Yes. and and I would then move forward
with the project.
>> I'll preamp you real quick. We focused
when you and I spoke and we focused on
certain areas of town. One being Bay
View and one being Morton. I'm sorry,
Holland. We didn't focus on Morton yet.
Morton was secondary in the meeting.
Morton, you wanted Morton, but it was
kind of secondary. So, that wasn't one
of our priorities. So, I did not do a
study with the engineer. We did not meet
people out on Morton. We focused on
Highland and we focused on Bay View. So,
to be completely upfront with you,
>> Morton's probably not even going to be
talked about at the public works meeting
right now. You can Yeah, you can bring
it up, but we don't have we don't have,
you know what I'm saying? We don't have
any I can't answer you that
>> Bay View. Where is that stop sign?
>> Hobart.
>> Bay View and Hobart.
>> And And what is the issue there?
>> Site site
>> site issue cuz you're coming down a hill
and people coming this way. So, there's
a lot of school kids there. There's bus
stop there as well, which also falls in
line with why we're looking at Highland
and why we're looking at a street there
off Highland where a bus stop is. So, we
think that that's our two avenues to go
that we'll get approved by all the
guidelines and I'm pretty confident that
the public works committee is on board
with it and you and I can make the sale
on Monday together.
>> Okay. 5:00.
>> 5:00.
>> Thank you.
>> That's 5:00 on Monday.
>> 5:00 Monday.
>> And then if you want to come back with
the morning one of that meeting, then we
will. Let's focus on the flu. you're
going to get when you can put the motor
up again.
>> Let's focus on all of them and get it
over with. I mean, why are we waiting?
>> Because it's not it's not as easy as
people think as I just pull a stop sign
in in the yard. It's not it's it's a lot
of time by them doing studies, other
people meeting. It's not as easy as you
and I saying, "Hey, I want a stop sign
here and it happens." We got a grant for
a flashing yellow my first month on
council and now I'm going on two years
and it's still not it. I mean, things do
take long in government. I hate to say
as an excuse cuz I'm in the business
world like you were in the business
world and things happen fast in
government it just doesn't I mean I
don't know what else to say it tries
>> really recommend bringing it up
>> I'm agree with that one too but we just
didn't focus on that one I focus on the
other ones to be honest
>> thank you for your consideration
>> yeah absolutely
>> thank you sir
>> thank you for your time
>> anybody else
just name and address please
>> my name is Richard Young 902 to Highland
Boulevard. Uh first of all, I'd like to
uh commend the uh the public works
department. You guys do a bangup job. I
uh we all appreciate it. But uh the
reason I'm here tonight is for the uh
the uh the speeders on Highland
Boulevard. Um
I'd like to know why there would be
object are there any objections to
putting in in addition to the stop signs
um speed bumps on Highland Boulevard?
So, so good. I
>> So, there's there's
the width of the street was what the
first issue was of wide the street is
and the fact that we put a grant in for
that street. So, we were figuring out
what the game plan was going to be with
that grant. So, we're not saying it's
not happening.
>> Correct.
>> So, the main objective is the the width
of Highland Boulevard.
>> Yes.
We applied for a grant to do multiple
factors which I don't know what we're
allowed to say but like this
>> there's no secrets here. So so so we
looked at possibly doing raised
crosswalks like Alex said or or speed
humps across Highland Boulevard and as
we looked at it we realized there's
other concerns there. There's no
sidewalk, pedestrian safety, and we said
this would this project as a
comprehensive plan would be a good grant
application to send into the state to
potentially do a lot more than just a
speed hump. Now, whether or not we end
up doing a speed hump, that's something
we'll need to discuss if and when we get
the grant. If we don't get the grant,
that we can go back to the and discuss
just doing something like a speed hump.
We didn't want to start with a peacemeal
approach if we were going to do a much
larger more comprehensive improvement
project on High Highland Boulevard so
that whatever we ended up doing um would
mesh with the larger plan. For example,
just throw an example out of there out
there. When you have a wide street like
that and crosswalks across the street,
one of the recommendations sometimes is
what's called a pedestrian refuge
island. I'm not saying we would do this,
but that would be so that if someone was
crossing the street and all of a sudden
a car came flying down the street, they
had somewhere in the middle of the
street that they could sit and wait
safely so that they don't get hit by a
car. If we were if we and I'm not saying
we're going to do that, but if we did
decide we were going to do something
like that, we wouldn't want to put a
speed hump in and then have to tear it
out to put the island in. So, it's just
we didn't want to move forward with any
peacemeal approach before seeing if we
got the grant and then evaluating a more
comprehensive improvement plan for
Highland Boulevard from a a safety
standpoint.
>> And how long have we been evaluating
this process?
>> We applied for the grant in June.
>> Okay.
>> Just started.
>> Good. I went over and measured the uh
the speed bumps over on uh John Gorman
Boulevard or uh way. And the speed
bumps, there's two of them and they're
25 ft across. I measured in front of my
house from the outside line of the uh
bike path to the center line in the
middle of the street. And it's an 11
foot. It's 11 foot wide. So 11 foot on
one side, 11 foot on the other. So we
have 22 excuse me 22 ft.
I I you know for the life of me I can't
understand how you know the width
becomes an argument against a uh a speed
bump
>> to John is a is a private street so it's
a lot less
>> the rules are a little different on
public streets. Um
>> the end result is the same though.
>> I agree with you. I I
say all we want to do. We want to put we
want speed humps. We want stop signs and
we want sidewalks on Island Boulevard.
It's just not as fast. I wish it was
faster.
>> And a lot of people tell me I'm a
businessman. I'm worse than him. This
kills me. I'm going to look at you and
say,
>> "Sorry, it's taking too long."
>> I completely agree with Mr. Wong Gun.
The easiest way to do this is let's get
a couple more stop signs up there. I am
completely with you, sir.
>> And Mr. Young, we have met with people
on that street that actually have
opposed having a speed hump because they
don't want it in front of their house
because of the noise. As crazy as that
sounds, there is people over Highland
that do not want a speed bump. There's
actually people in Highland
>> speed bump in what? In front of their
house or just a speed bump in general in
Highland Boulevard.
>> Speed bump near their house. fine. You
can
>> I volunteered to be the first house when
I was on the board to put a speed bump
in front of and I'm sure I can find uh
you know a few other
talk to that guy across the street. He
went out
I was waiting for that but as you as you
think it's that easy people don't I mean
people don't even want to I mean there's
how many people live on Highland
Boulevard? Let's be honest here we'll
say 50. How many people in the crowd
right now from Highland Boulevard? six.
>> Just because the people don't show up
doesn't indicate that doesn't mean
>> I'm just saying but but he sent the
letter out. I was I mean if there was 25
30 40 people here and everyone says hey
look let's put that there is people that
are honestly you know
>> are you saying that if in fact there
were 40 people here on any given time
for this particular issue that we would
have speed bumps.
>> No I'm saying that there's people that
don't want it. Just Rich Young does want
it but there is somebody that doesn't
want it also is what I'm saying. But
they don't want it because of the fact
that they don't want it in front of
their house. Not that they don't want it
because they object to speed bumps.
>> Yeah. They don't want in front of their
house.
>> Exactly. But they wouldn't have any
objections to having a speed bump.
>> They Well, a lot a lot of people
hypothetically talking.
>> Got to go in front of somebody's house.
>> Doesn't make any sense.
>> You know, I'm sure we could find enough
people to put it in front of their
house. I would have absolutely no
objections. About 5 years ago,
>> in front of my house, I I was gardening.
That's
>> and uh I took a break and literally
within 10 minutes after I left the end
of my property uh a person came down
10th
at a high rate of speed uh bounced off
of two cars in front of Smitty's house
and literally ended up 8 ft
in the trees on my property. And you
know this
>> I listen that's why we've had cops out
there. We're trying to do things. It's
not that we're not doing anything. We
are doing
>> it's not like we have a situation where
we're waiting for serious accidents to
happen. Serious accidents have happened
on Highland Boulevard. And you know
we're way past the time of
trying to figure out what's the best
solution here. I think we all know that
there's a couple viable solutions and
and we should act as quickly as we can
and I think we aren't slow but I'll put
it this way. There's a we are pretty
green in the grand scheme of being here.
Correct. And the amount of work and it
doesn't seem
like it's hard to see but the amount of
public safety measures we have taken to
try and slow people down. We've done
quite a few. It just takes forever to
get them done. and Highland Boulevard. I
looking you in the eye because I know
you're not a BS guy. We have been
talking all year.
>> He doesn't know me that well.
>> We've been talking all year about a very
good plan with our engineer about the
perfect solution for Highland trying to
get you speed humps, stop signs, and a
sidewalk down there. We have to apply
for grants. The city's broke, but we are
going to do whatever we can. Stop signs
is a great great cheap first first step
>> first step. We thought the stop sign's
the first step. Ron and I talked about
the stop sign. That was the first step
and we start there. If we get this the
safety grant and we could put a two
speed humps in, I think that would solve
the problem as well.
>> One last thing, guys. Um the electric
bikes
>> on Highland Boulevard. Uh you know, and
and it's only a recent problem, but I'm
I'm telling you, somebody is going to
get seriously hurt. Not only are they
speeding, but half the time they're on
the wrong side of the street. So you go
out and you look to your left to see if
any vehicles are coming and coming down
from the right are these electric bikes
and there a lot of times they're going
faster than what the cars are going
down. So
>> it's an epidemic every town. It's bad. I
>> What can we do about it? We know it's a
problem. What can we do about it? Just I
I don't mean to speak out of turn here
because I haven't had an opportunity,
but I think it was Tuesday I got my
hands on the ordinance that Lynwood has
already passed to I submitted it to
Lieutenant Hank I think or Captain Maer
and we're going to discuss it and I was
actually going to present it to you guys
in the public works meeting. So the
public works committee or and public
safety which is right after. So stay on.
I always said last year, come for public
works, stay for public safety. We're
gonna review this ordinance. There's a
lot of it doesn't apply.
>> And we also
>> a lot of it does apply.
>> We also, Lieutenant Hank and I met and
we talked about doing a class they're
going to do over at the school to
educate these kids on the
responsibilities. I I know he's back
there. I don't want to put you on the
spot, Hank, but I don't if you want to
you want to mention that OR
>> SO, I I'LL SPEAK upon this, too. Um,
an article came out today
in Union County banned all electric
bikes and scooters because of the fatal
accidents and the serious accidents. Um,
the state is actually working on
>> legislation.
Updating the laws so that we can so that
we can, you know, make these these
things uh more enforcable. But I think
what you're gonna see is you're going to
see other counties that are going to
take follow suit with banning them all
together because they're they're they're
they're a problem everywhere. Um
>> and it's just not kids.
>> No, it's adults.
>> Adults. I mean, it's their, you know,
it's their transportation and I get
that. But, uh, you know, let's let's
follow the laws of the the laws of the
road on this.
>> To that point, too, guys. So, there's
been a lot of
>> uh municipalities throughout the state,
to the chief's point, um that are trying
to urge state legislators to act on this
cuz it's contemplated. Um you could do
essentially a resolution as a governing
body just encouraging them to take
action, which you're seeing in a lot of
other towns.
>> Oh, okay.
>> So, if that's something you're
interested in, we could always do that
and send it off to our legislators.
>> Let's bring that up in public safety.
>> All right. That's all I have, guys.
Appreciate it.
>> Thank you for coming. Oh, thank you for
coming. Make sure public works. Uh
here's your kudos.
Oh, absolutely. Great job.
>> Yeah.
>> Anybody else?
[Music]
>> Say he covered everything.
>> Yeah,
>> we got an expert pres. He doesn't know
anything. Come on.
>> No, I was looking at the the other
engineer in the room.
>> Actually, sir, actually
>> come on up. Benwood did have cops that
were on the bike that were stopped
scooters and that
>> keys.
just your name and address first that's
all.
>> Yeah, I live in uh 108 Chelsea Road in
App Seekin. Um to the most part they do
put boards up letting the kids know they
need helmets at a certain age. The cops
would stop them and report them and say,
you know, go home, get your helmets. So
I don't know how long that's going to
be, but to most part they have a lot of
stop signs there. Even at the school
that they installed lights, flashing
lights, this has got to stop. And again,
you have main highways that they did it
for mainland. You do on the bike path.
They do a lot of them. And they have
stop signs that have a flashing light.
Soon as a car comes, the sensor comes
on. Now all of a sudden, they see that
there's a light there. A lot of people
get killed there. And this is something
that we're all looking forward to
happening. So I think if the sooner the
better. So if you can get the stuff
moving, let's go. I mean, even with I
mean, even with the the stop signs,
flashing lights make a big difference.
the sensors aren't much much more in
price. So,
>> I yelled at the county administrator
last week. He's he's a little scared of
me. I think I can get
Yeah. Again, being here on Monday or
5:00, I'll be here.
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> And again, I appreciate the bikes. I
know it's 2 hours and this is
>> at the stop signs because they should
just travel right through. public works
is the will be the placement at five of
the stop signs crosswalks
and but like when we want to discuss the
bikes directly after public works goes
into public safety. So councilwoman
Barker runs that and she'll be happy to
>> go. Awesome.
>> I did like your idea sir if you wanted
to be heard.
>> I said I said about the park
>> uh I spoke with this gentleman earlier.
Uh,
>> thank you for your comments.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> My name is Oscar Malu. I live at 1100
Chelsea Road. I I got here a little
early and I got a chance to meet the new
mayor and it it was it was nice talking
to him being here. I learned about the
complexity of it's not easy. I worked in
transportation when the uh a referendum
was passed for casino gaming. I I worked
for the county in transportation. you
know, I had to report to Trent back and
forth and we changed two-way streets to
one-way streets. I've been away from
that for a while. Uh, we have a
residence in Portland, Maine. I'm up
there all the time doing elder care and
there's a street where there are bumps,
bumps, what do you call them? Bumps bump
bumps and speed bumps. And I come from
the airport in my rental car or
whatever, and it's uh 45 miles an hour.
And then it's like, Z, be careful.
You're going to tear this car up.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> So, speed bumps do work. It's a part of
the solution. Trust me when I tell you,
it's in a heavily residential area that
you're going through, but it works. Even
if you're unfamiliar with it, it'll slow
you down. But also, in uh uh in
reference to Morton Avenue, every now
and then you'll see these signs out here
that'll say you're doing 25 miles an
hour. And then it'll say, "And thank
you." And boy, that's refreshing. Thank
you. Wow. But by the same token, I've
been here 50 years in the area. I'm
originally from New York City. And New
York City, if you're speeding or take a
red light,
you get a thing in the mail because it's
on camera. Mhm.
>> I don't know so much about that'll get
your attention because I'm old enough to
know that if you get a a moving
violation that's serious.
>> Red light cameras got banned in New
Jersey.
>> He did.
>> Yeah.
>> I hate I hate to break it to you, sir.
Yeah. I was loving everything. Um red
light cameras were in New Jersey for a
little while and um then ultimately uh
they're not
>> I don't know the full background, but
they become banned. They're illegal to
have rent cameras in New Jersey.
>> It's absolutely
>> I know. I I know. I'm with you. I'm with
you 100%.
>> Who owns the car is driving the car.
>> Cable bill, your TV goes off. If you
don't pay your light bill, your lights
go off. If you get a ticket,
>> Yep.
>> No, I'm with fun.
>> So, I'm with you.
>> Is that it? I mean, I'm I'm I'm talking
about not as far as council is concerned
and the mayor. Is that it? And uh can
that be undone? I know there are privacy
issues
>> at the state level.
>> The state level. Yeah. That
>> it's the state.
>> Yes, sir.
>> It's the New Jersey legislature.
>> Yeah.
>> They they originally passed it. The red
light cameras were in effect and then
they passed a law banning them and then
they were
>> That's why we have elections.
>> Um but um but no, I I appreciate your
comments and and to your point,
absolutely speed humps work. I mean
>> Oh, they do. it, you know, uh, as a
matter of fact, if you come from
Galloway heading south to go down Morton
Avenue, it's 35 miles an hour.
>> Yeah. Coming in and every now and then,
I've got to pick up the kids from school
or whatever. And I go, "Oh, wow. I'm
doing
>> I'm still doing 30. I'm doing 25." And I
don't want to get a ticket to remind me.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> That I'm doing.
>> Absolutely.
>> So, they got That's what I That's what
I've got to say. I know there's a
meeting on Monday the mayor told me,
>> but I was going to hammer that away. I
heard and then I'm going to go and
there's another gentleman that wants to
speak. Uh, somebody said budget's not
the issue. I think the number of 800,000
came up. I said, "Well, that solves the
problem right there. Get some cameras."
So, I got to get start getting those
tickets out. I know that there is a I It
doesn't make sense to me, though.
>> Think about it. It's not always the same
person that's driving the car that owns
the car. So, you're sending a ticket.
Let's say somebody borrows your car.
Now, you're going to get the ticket in
the mail. You weren't the one driving
the car.
>> Yeah. I used to think like that, too. I
I used to think like that. But the
bottom line, it's safety. It's public
safety.
>> Oh, absolutely. But you're mailing a
ticket to somebody who wasn't even on
that street.
>> I lent a cousin or two my car back when
I was
>> What is this? You know what I mean? And
I'm responsible for it. Uh, so but but
I'm I'm saying it's about public safety.
I have four children.
>> Okay. I have four children. I live on
Morton Avenue and you know I'm becoming
familiar with the rich thing but Morton
Avenue it's like you know I got signs
out that say children play and this that
and the other but there and the somebody
brought up the electric bikes. totally,
you know, it's totally off the hook. But
if I lend somebody my I don't have one
anymore, but if I lend somebody my
electric bike and they smashed into
some, you know, it it it's like it's
public safety
>> pure simple and there should be some
push back in the hard line with the
state.
>> Absolutely. Thank you, sir. One thing I
will do for any folks in the room that
may that came tonight um to discuss this
and then realizing that there's going to
be an in-depth conversation on Monday
night and recognizing that not everybody
has the time in the world after this
meeting. If you can't make Monday, you
can give me your email address and I
will ensure that the committee provides
me notes from the meeting and I will
email you guys the notes from the
meeting. So that way you can at least
have a participation without actually
having to show up.
>> Thank you.
>> We'll do that tonight cuz I recognize
you're here and then you bouncing back
and forth.
>> Anybody else?
>> I'll just make a quick comment coming up
while while the gentleman's coming up.
Um I've been the city engineer here for
over 20 years, which makes me feel
really old, but um at various times
throughout those 20 years, we've had
people from the public ask for speed
humps around town. And this is just a
fact. This is the first governing body
that's moving forward with speed humps
inse. We have a grant. We're doing about
10 speed humps throughout the city. Um
that project will be going out to bid
soon.
>> I was going to touch I was going to say
that I mean you know
>> speed humps aren't foreign to this
governing body. We're about
>> I can tell you that this this governing
body agrees with a lot of what's being
said. Um and we're moving forward. I
know you haven't seen it yet. Everyone
keeps saying things take time, but um
you will see speed humps throughout the
city and I'm sure we'll see how those
go. We heard, you know, some people like
them, some people don't. Um, but I'm
sure you know their effectiveness. We
may move forward with another phase. Who
knows? But it's it's not a maybe it will
happen. It's happening. I mean, the
plans are almost done and we'll be going
out to bid soon. So,
>> Ed took my closing speech.
Name an address, please.
My name is John. Live at 1100 New York
Avenue.
>> Um, I'm a block away from the stop signs
on Highland Boulevard.
Uh, they were great when they were
installed, but I live a block away and
I'm telling you, sometimes from that
stop sign to my street, they're doing
like 40 mph already. They're flying down
there. And if you're just going to talk
about putting stop signs on Highland
Boulevard,
they're just going to use Morton even
more. You're just going to squeeze them
over there more.
So, you got to talk about Morton Avenue,
too.
Sometimes I'm afraid to step off my uh
curb when I'm cutting my grass.
They they come flying so fast. I don't
know whether they're looking down at
their cell phones or whatever, but
people are flying. I got neighbors that
have little kids.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> It's very disturbing. I don't see a lot
of cops out there. I'm not saying that
they're not, but maybe enforce it more.
Maybe, you know, when the stop signs
were first put up, I saw some cops,
you know, hiding on Ritz or Highland
making some arrests.
I don't see it that much anymore. So, I
think if you're just talking about
putting them on Highland, they're just
going to use Morton more. And they're
even using Ritz now where they make they
don't even go down Morton. They make a
right on rips to get to Route 30.
>> Okay. And that's going to be like the
next speedway.
>> What's going to happen? We're going to
stop Long Island. Then we're going to
stop Southern Mort. And then we're going
to be stuck with Ritz. And then Ritz is
going to be
>> there. There is I I see a certain police
officer sits on Ritz and faces the
four-way stop there. So they do move
around. I mean, I live right in that
neighborhood, too. Um I do see at least
once a day police in either Highland or
Ritz or Morton. are are you going to see
them every single time you drive by? I
know, but they're they're present
because I have a baby and I walk every
single day. So, I walk down Highland, I
walk down Morin, I walk down Ritz. Um
they're there every single time I walk.
>> And the the only other thing that I'll
comment on on the police side um is we
recently hired six new police officers.
So when speaking about money and public
safety not being an issue, we hired more
police officers
>> than the past 25 years in the city of
Epicin this year alone by hiring six.
They graduated the academy and they're
currently in their field training. Is
that what it would be called?
>> Yeah,
>> they're in their field training and the
plan the plan is to have these folks
enforcing traffic.
>> I think we have a traffic unit, too,
right here.
>> So So I I want to say this first and
foremost. uh this this governing body
and the mayor has finally heard us as
far as public safety. Um you know in
1990 to95 we had 28 full-time officers.
I can tell you since the beginning of
the year up until today we have been
running with 23 to 24 officers.
And you talk about time and training and
everything else we hired six officers in
January. Um they're getting they're
getting their way through their field
training program and it should be done
in November. Um we had another officer
leave in the summertime. I have another
one in the in the academy. First time
ever where we have replaced somebody
right away. Um, and I think it's
important to to remember that like uh
our little town has grown with so many
other problems over the years and and
none of none of the investment was back
into our police department to preserve
that public safety until now. So, you
know, what you're going to see is is
you're going to see more officers, uh,
you know, and and you know, with that,
you know, we have other things that we
had to deal with as far as, you know,
family leave and and people having, uh,
children and military leave and all
that. But by adding these other officers
and getting into 30 what will it be a 32
full-time officers, you know, the the
the reality is is we don't want to raise
taxes because of the police department.
But if we want to preserve our town, we
need to be in that 36 to 40 range of
officers so that we can continue to, you
know, make this safety of this town. And
I know I want to thank the the um you
know the governing body and the mayor
for taking these steps to where we are
today because uh you know it went un
unheard in the past.
>> And and the one the the last thing I'll
say sir is I'll be honest with you and
to everybody in this room. Um, I get a
significant amount of emails weekly from
residents and speeding is the number one
issue I receive emails about and that is
why we've been clumping them together
and working on the speed humps, the stop
signs, the raised crosswalks and things
like that. Um, so it is not falling on
deaf ears. I can absolutely promise on
behalf of this entire governing body
that it is not falling on deaf ears
because we recognized all of us over the
past two years speeding is the number
one issue we get contacted about and we
have been looking at it from a strategic
standpoint where you know
where do we I don't want to use the word
invest because that implies money but
where do we start and then where do we
go from and we have to have a a 30,000
foot you. Otherwise, to Ed's point, we
could backtrack. So, it is not falling
on deaf ears. We hear you. We hear you
loud and clear, and we want exactly what
you want.
>> I genuinely mean that.
>> All right. I appreciate that. Last thing
is
Fridays is like the worst rush hour.
>> Oh, we're flying down there.
>> Are you going Highland or you talking
Morton? Which one you talking now?
>> Morton. Yeah.
>> I live on on Morton.
>> Yeah. Okay, I agree.
>> We can get I mean he's the man the man's
here. He can get people out that guy.
He's right there. Honestly, based on the
statistics that I saw today, it's
unacceptable in both areas. And you
know, I'm I have officers out there in
both areas, uh, you know, on a weekly
basis. Unfortunately, that's not the
only place that people complain about.
They complain about all over town. And
you know, again, with with the limited
staff, we try our best to be out there,
but I'm not going to I'm I'm going to
apologize to everybody that lives in
that area that it's a problem. You know,
we know it's a problem, but you know, we
we we have to deal with so many
different things. And, you know, I
assure you that we continue to try to be
out there as much as we can.
>> Chief, I can attest to the fact that
>> Hold on. Hold on. We We got to We just
We have to do this the correct way. One
at a time. Just It's all right. you can
come back up cuz you just have to do it
once at a time.
>> I can uh attest to the fact that uh the
police are out on Highland Boulevard
almost on a daily basis and uh for you
know half hour at a stretch and uh you
know that's appreciated. Do you have any
statistics though on the number of cars
that are pulled over as opposed to the
number of cars that actually receive a
ticket?
>> We sure do. We sure do. And they're both
I don't have it with me obviously, but
it's it's alarming. Both of them are
alarming because, you know, I I I warn
the public every meeting that the police
take into consideration the pedestrians
in that area and all over town and and
we still have people that just, you
know, ignore all that. So,
I'd like to know how many, like I said,
how many people are actually pulled over
and then how many are actually tickets
because pulling somebody over certainly,
you know, puts the fear of God into you
when you see that uh, you know, those
lights going off. But, uh, you know, at
the end of the end of the day, there's
no uh there's no punishment associated
with going 50 m getting caught going 50
m an hour down on Highland Boulevard. It
serves no purp. The chief doesn't have
those numbers on him. But what I will
tell you is I read the police report.
>> Great. I'll be there.
>> Walking into here, I read the police
report and these numbers aren't exact,
but it was close to double. So like 385
stops equated to close to 500 traffic
tickets for the last month.
>> Gotcha.
>> Just that's very close to the numbers.
>> Yep. No. And and one last thing
was mentioned that sidewalks are a
possibility going on on
>> double tickets.
>> I thought you were an officer for
the first heard of
that wasn't the question. Once we get
that
>> Well, that's the we look at what we can
afford to do for that.
>> You put him on the other side of my
street. I was going to say
the
>> Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Would
anybody else like to speak?
Comes the closer.
We're closing. This comes closer.
>> Good evening. Uh my name is Andy
Previty. I live at 839 Plaza Place. Uh
my house sits on Highland Boulevard and
on our side plaza has been vacated. Uh
I'm here to support the other folks who
spoke about Highland Boulevard the
situation there and and my perspective
is different. I'm a professional
engineer licensed to practice in New
Jersey. Actually sat in Mr. Dennis's
seat for 6 years back in the late '9s.
Uh my perspective is a little different
because it comes from a professional
standpoint, but as a resident, I'm out
and the mayor sees me out there quite a
bit in my front yard doing gardening
work and I get the chance to see what
actually happens there. And a lot of
times there are children on their
bicycles on the bike lanes driving with
their parents. And on a couple of
occasions, I have seen folks who uh are
driving the speed limit being passed
with by vehicles crossing the double
line at 50 60 m an hour on that street.
Uh my presence tonight kind of opens my
eyes to what you're doing to address
these issues. The police presence there
in the past a year and a half has been
uh I think a blessing and has really
done a a nice job. Uh but as the chief
said, you can't have somebody there all
the time. So it's a multiaceted
approach that I think you're taking.
>> Yes, sir.
>> The stop sign issue is a relatively
simple one that you can implement
because you don't need state approval
anymore. You can do that on your own
after you do your necessary studies and
and and necessary warrants are um met to
install those stop signs. One of the
issues that I think I don't know if it
has been brought up, but there's an
issue with sight lines due to the
geometry of Highland Boulevard. The
intersecting streets that intersect
Highland do not intersect it at 90
degree angles. And depending upon where
you're coming from, whether you're
coming from um Haden Avenue toward
Highland or whether you're coming from
Ambassador toward Highland,
looking right or left, it's difficult to
see oncoming traffic. And if that
traffic is coming at a high rate of
speed, it's difficult for you to to
judge the speed that they're in, the
distance that they are. And what makes
it more difficult is that there are high
points on Highland Boulevard. Um it's
called a vertical curve that
prevents you from seeing vehicles coming
on
toward you. So the combination of the
people speeding with the geometry and
the sighteline reduction I think is
enough warrants to establish
stop sign at a strategic location and
that's something that Mr. Dennis can
advise you about. So um like I say he
opened my eyes tonight to maybe I need
to come for more meetings so that I get
a better idea of what's going on. But uh
I applaud you for your efforts and I
hope you can move forward with
establishing in a relatively short term
some kind of stop signage along Highland
Boulevard cuz it's a problem and uh I
see it just about every day I'm out
there. So thank you for your time.
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Would any can I make a comment at some
point?
>> Sure. Name and address, please.
Um I the comment that I would like to
make uh is the little town I grew up in
is Brigantine and you go over the bridge
and you go over 45 zero tolerance. You
go down Bayore Avenue over 25ish
you're zero tolerance. So it might not
be popular but once we get all of our
officers in place I can't make that
decision if we put a zero tolerance in
and it would be uh like hammer time. So,
we just basically zero tolerance and
have a five little a slight cushion and
then no matter who you are, no matter no
matter what, you're going to get a
ticket and you just dial everybody in.
So, again, you go to the bottom of the
brick and you're coming over the bridge,
if you go over 45, you know what you're
going to get. So, it's that's that would
simplify a lot of things moving forward.
I don't have that authority, but at some
point once we get all of our officers in
place and we go with zero tolerance
throughout our whole community, um then
I think it would actually be effective
as as well as these other
>> uh we're finishing up now. Like I said,
if you can't make Monday, please come
see me afterwards. I'll take down your
email address and I'll be sure to give
you a uh an update. May I hear a motion
to close this meeting to the public?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Opposed. May I hear a motion to adjourn
this meeting?
>> Motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor? Opposed? Meeting
adjourned. Thank you everybody for
coming tonight.