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Residents urge South River to address school traffic and downtown parking problems
Summary
Multiple residents raised safety and access concerns during public comment April 7, citing frequent parking violations by churchgoers and school drop-off traffic that blocks driveways, and asked the council to pursue permit parking, enforcement and county coordination.
Several South River residents told the borough council on April 7 that neighborhood parking and school-related traffic are causing safety hazards and property-access problems.
Chris Regal (107 Main Street) described chronic parking by churchgoers and a construction firm that leaves multiple vehicles occupying street spaces near his home and business. Regal asked whether the borough could ask the church to direct attendees to municipal lots and requested assistance with persistent parking that impedes access.
Kim Curtis of 45 David Street and her husband raised focused safety concerns about school drop-off and dismissal. Curtis said attempts to obtain increased officer patrols did not produce lasting changes and described an incident in which a woman “standing in the middle of the road with her phone” accused her of failing to yield at a crosswalk; Curtis said she later received court summonses and learned two tickets had been issued without prior notice from the borough.
Jasmine Green (109 Main Street) told the council she received a $50 ticket after leaving her car at a meter overnight while recovering from surgery. Green said she would be willing to buy a permit that would allow her to park near her home but that long church services and nonresident parking have effectively occupied on-street spaces for years. She cited a borough parking ordinance (chapter 193, as amended) and an older alternate-side provision last updated in 1994 as evidence the code needs review.
Other residents at or near school pickup locations described vehicles parked behind driveways, cars stopping in intersections and drivers ignoring pedestrian safety rules. Several requested the council pursue resident-permit parking, increased enforcement during school hours, improved communication with the Board of Education and direct talks with the Coptic Christian School to encourage use of on-site parking.
Council members and the mayor acknowledged the complaints and described jurisdictional limits: parts of the affected streets are county roads, and some enforcement decisions require coordination with the county or the school district. Council President Seulo said he will meet with the superintendent the next day to discuss school traffic and pledged to continue follow-up with borough staff. The council encouraged residents to report repeated violations to the police so patterns can be documented.
No formal changes to parking rules or permit programs were adopted at the meeting; council members said further review and coordination with the school district and county would be needed before policy changes were brought forward.
