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Residents press council over loud firehouse siren and speeding on county roads
Summary
Several residents at the May 20 meeting urged the council and police to address a stationary firehouse siren that sounds repeatedly and to step up enforcement of excessive speeding on county roads; officials said they will inquire with the fire department and police.
Multiple Monroe Township residents raised public‑safety and quality‑of‑life complaints during the May 20 public‑comment period, asking the township to address a repeatedly sounding firehouse siren and widespread speeding and loud vehicles on local roads.
Residents who live behind the former firehouse on Harrison Avenue said a stationary siren at that facility sounds multiple times per day, often in two consecutive bursts and at a measured level one resident reported at about 110 decibels. “My house shakes when it goes off,” said resident Jennifer (DeCarlo). Tom DeCarlo said the alarm “is the most annoying thing you ever heard” and said the noise is disrupting residents’ ability to use yards and sleep during daytime hours.
Council and administration said they would engage the fire department to determine why the stationary siren is still active at the decommissioned building and whether the alarm can be adjusted or retired. Township Administrator Kevin McGowan urged residents to raise concerns with the fire department and said the administration would pass complaints to the fire officials for follow‑up.
Separately, multiple residents complained about excessive speeding and loud, modified vehicles on roads including Federal Road, Union Valley Road, Monmouth Road, Spotswood‑Englishtown Road and local residential streets. One resident described a near head‑on collision on North State Home Road when a driver passed a garbage truck at high speed on a double yellow line.
Residents asked for stepped‑up enforcement, more traffic calming and deployment of speed‑monitoring trailers. Council members and the administration said the police department enforces vehicle and noise laws and that they would refer the specific locations and incidents to the police for targeted enforcement.
The council also noted state law on helmets and e‑bikes and said it would pass helmet and e‑bike safety concerns to police. Responders asked residents to document incidents and file reports so police can take enforcement action and to attend future meetings to continue dialogue about traffic and noise mitigation.
