Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Complaints topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents complain to Hillsborough committee about mailbox damage, DPW responsiveness after storms
Summary
Two longtime Hillsborough residents raised complaints during public comment about storm-related mailbox damage and the township public works department’s responsiveness, requesting better customer service and follow-up.
HILLSBOROUGH, N.J. — During public comment at the Hillsborough Township Committee meeting on March 11, two residents described storm-related property damage and said the township’s Department of Public Works has been slow to respond.
Joseph P. Maloney of 27 Stonewick Drive said his neighborhood experienced flooding and related sewer concerns. Maloney said the township borrowed a Jetter from the municipal utility authority for cleanup but that in his case the water had already dissipated and leaves had been pushed through a sewer line. He said he remains concerned about the pumping station at 27 Oxford and urged better resourcing of public works during storms.
Jeff Bowlby of 12 Eleanor Road said a township plow struck and damaged multiple mailboxes during an ice storm. “In a span of 18 houses, they hit 10 mailboxes,” Bowlby said, and he told the committee he had sent six emails to the mayor and received no response. Bowlby said he asked the public works director for a meeting and that the director refused; he characterized the department’s customer service as unacceptable.
Mayor Ciccarelli responded that he had delegated follow-up to the public works director; the meeting record shows no scheduled meeting with the residents and no formal action recorded in response. Both residents asked for improved communication and for township officials to meet with affected homeowners to resolve property damage claims. No formal resolution or motion was taken during the public comment period.
