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Residents urge township to buy jetter/vac for storm drains and question public-comment time limits
Summary
During public comment on Feb. 25 residents described a blocked storm-drain event on Stonewick Drive and urged the township to budget for a JetterVac to clear drains quickly; another resident asked the committee to reconsider the three-minute public-comment limit and the way time is displayed.
Two residents used the Feb. 25 public-comment period to press the township on storm-drain response and municipal public-comment procedures.
Joseph P. Maloney of Stonewick Drive told the committee his neighborhood flooded after heavy rain because a local drain was blocked by pine needles and cones. He said township public-works crews responded and spent hours attempting to clear the line but lacked equipment to finish the job. Maloney asked the committee to include a JetterVac (combination jetter/vacuum unit) in the next capital budget, saying the machine would have allowed crews to clear the clog quickly and limit property flooding.
"They didn't have the proper equipment to be honest with you," Maloney said of the crew's attempt to clear the line, describing multiple hours of work and pumps that were insufficient. He urged the committee to treat a JetterVac as a long-term investment.
Separately, David Brook of Winding Way asked the committee to reconsider the three-minute time limit for public comments and the live countdown display, calling the practice intimidating for some speakers. Brook suggested flexible time limits, especially when few speakers are present, and urged a more welcoming approach to public input.
Committee response Mayor Matthew Ciccarelli thanked the speakers and acknowledged the work of the police officer and public works staff named by Maloney. Committee members asked staff to follow up on equipment needs and budgeting questions; public-works supervisors were cited by name during remarks as having assisted at the flooded location.
Next steps Maloney said he will return when the capital budget is discussed to press the case for a JetterVac; committee members said they will explore options and coordinate with public works on equipment availability and mutual-aid arrangements from neighboring towns.
Speakers quoted "They didn't have the proper equipment to be honest with you. They attempted to snake it out, got about 25 feet clogged... I look at it as a long term investment," Joseph P. Maloney, Stonewick Drive.
"Three minutes is an arbitrary time. Five minutes might be better, or no time might be better," David Brook, Winding Way.
Ending Committee members thanked residents for the reports and said staff will raise the equipment request in capital‑budget planning and clarify public-comment procedures for future meetings.
