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Woodbridge officials clarify park permits, campaign-sign rules and parking enforcement after public concerns
Summary
Town officials told residents that permits are required only for Pelsman Park because of on-site bathrooms; other township parks are shared on a first-come basis. Officials also addressed campaign signs, enforcement of parking and scooter/e-bike limits and urged residents to use the police nonemergency number for parking violations.
During the public comment portion of the June 3 meeting, multiple residents asked whether permits were required for use of township parks, whether campaign signs could be displayed on public parkland, and what the township would do about chronic on-street parking and traffic-safety concerns in several neighborhoods.
Town officials responded that Pelsman Park is the only township park that requires a reservation or permit because it has bathrooms and facilities requiring scheduled oversight. For other "pocket parks" such as Lyman Avenue Park and Bruce Turcotte Park, officials said residents may use the space without a permit and that parks are shared; there is no first-come, first-served reservation system outside of the permit-required location. "If you want to have a full blown official [event] you need to apply for the permit from the rec department," the council president said on the record.
On the subject of political signs, there was an exchange in which a resident asserted that campaign signs are not advertisements; the mayor referenced the First Amendment and the historical use of town parks for political expression, noting that parks have traditionally been spaces for political discussion. The transcript records both a reference to the township's decorum ordinance (posted at council chambers) and officials reminding residents that the town enforces rules about signs.
Police Director Nisky told the meeting the department has been enforcing parking and other violations on Main Street, that auxiliary and special police have been used to increase enforcement, and that walking patrols are being used in some areas. Regarding e-bikes and scooters, the director said state law currently limits local enforcement options and that helmet tickets are often the primary tool available; he encouraged legislative changes to expand enforcement capability.
Residents raised neighborhood parking safety concerns in Hopelon and other areas where parked cars narrow streets and reduce sight lines; officials encouraged callers to report illegal or dangerous parking to the police nonemergency number so patrol or traffic enforcement can respond. On a separate point earlier in the public comment portion, the council president noted that eight parking spaces had been leased at $30,000 per spot for a referenced downtown project; the lease (not a sale of portions) was described as eight spots leased at $30,000 each.
