Residents raise safety concerns with road opening Ad hoc committee will look at options for traffic control BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE - A resolution promising traffic control devices on Prests Mill Road was not fulfilled by the time of the road's opening Monday, leaving some nearby residents concerned. The area of the road that borders the Lakeridge West and Hovnanian's Oakwood at Madison developments was blockaded until the completion of Oakwood's construction, by which time the traffic-calming devices were supposed to have been installed. "Our community is bearing the brunt of Hovnanian's enterprise," said Angelo Curro, president of Lakeridge West's board. Township officials said Hovnanian is willing to install the devices, and is hoping to get the work done as soon as possible. In 2002, the township Planning Board made the traffic-calming devices one of the conditions of Hovnanian's approval. A resolution stated that the devices would be in place before Prests Mill Road was to open, though it was never specified what type of devices would be used. "The Planning Board, when they were doing this case, dropped the ball," Mayor Jim Phillips said. "Now the ball has been fumbled, and we're going to pick it up and run with it." Phillips met with Curro and Sheree Bechtold, another Lakeridge West resident, after they voiced their concerns at Monday's Township Council meeting. Assuring them that the devices would be put into place, Phillips asked them to serve on an ad hoc committee that would determine what types of devices would be most appropriate. The committee will also consist of representatives of the police department, traffic and safety department, and Hovnanian, Phillips said. "The mayor and engineer were very helpful in trying to find a workable solution that will be beneficial to all the residents," Bechtold said. "I'm very optimistic that the township will do the right thing for the residents." Township Administrator Mike Jacobs distributed surveys to area residents nearly two years ago, inquiring about what types of traffic-calming devices they would like to see on the road upon its opening. No decisive results were found by the surveys, because residents were split by thirds on the issue. "What I thought was going to be simple, turned out to be complicated," Jacobs said. Part of the complications arise from an ordinance that prohibits certain types of traffic-calming devices, like speed bumps or rumble strips. Phillips said there are no traffic-calming devices on any public road in Old Bridge. "It's been frowned upon," Phillips said. "Traffic-control devices cause different kinds of problems." Among those problems are the slowing of emergency response vehicles and noise pollution for nearby residents. "We've been trying to figure out what it is we can install," Jacobs said. "You don't want to slow down the rescue squad or fire department. Nobody wants these things in front of their house." The township will continue conducting traffic counts on the road now that it is open, to determine the difference in numbers from when it was closed, Jacobs said. "I think it will be some time before we learn how heavy the traffic will be," Bechtold said. "We hope it's not putting the safety of the neighborhood in jeopardy." Bechtold said it is impossible to gauge what the traffic will be now, because many people are not aware that the road has been opened. As of yet, she said, there has not been much of an impact. Councilman Kevin Calogera, who presides over Ward 4 where part of Lakeridge West is located, said he does not foresee there being a large amount of traffic on the road now that it is open. "I think the design of the Hovnanian roads in the development, with the stop signs and the curves, are an inconvenient design to use as a shortcut unless you live there," Calogera said. Calogera was a member of the Planning Board in 2002 when the approval was granted. Despite his prediction that the road would not present major traffic issues, Calogera said he wants the devices installed in a timely fashion. In the past, he said, he has sought unsuccessfully to have the ordinance prohibiting the devices changed, as he sees them necessary in several locations throughout the town. "We have to address these problems," Calogera said. "I'm open to any traffic-control devices we can use." Both Phillips and Jacobs said they were partial to roundabouts, or circular, landscaped islands placed in the middle of intersections to slow traffic. Phillips cited their use in Belmar. "I think that's an excellent idea," Phillips said. "That would be the No. 1 solution on my list." Calogera said the roundabouts would not be a feasible option, as there are no four-way intersections on that road. Instead, he suggested humps or speed tables, which are raised intersections. According to Bechtold and Curro, residents have fought the opening of the road for years. Curro said hundreds of residents have expressed their unhappiness with the road opening, saying it would compromise the safety of their community. Bechtold said the pool club's location on the road, as well as pedestrian and bike traffic along it, represent possible hazards, especially for area children. "My main concern is the safety of the residents of Lakeridge West," Bechtold said. Calogera pointed out that people in neighboring communities are questioning why their developments should be inconvenienced, while Lakeridge West residents want to be exempt from such problems. "I have concerns for residents on both sides," Calogera said. "I don't care what ward they're in. If it's a problem, I want to address it." Curro pointed out that Oakwood is a new community, and Lakeridge residents should have some sort of priority with their concerns. "The people that are supposed to represent us have not acted in our favor," Curro said. "If anything, these people [at Lakeridge] are more than likely the ones who put them in office, because [Oakwood] wasn't even there. They should remember that."