Residents press township on potholes, drainage and road maintenance during public comment

Residents told the Egg Harbor Township Committee on Feb. 3 that potholes and cracked streets in several neighborhoods need more durable repairs.

Phil McKenzie, introduced himself as a resident and said potholes on Pine Avenue were “abysmal,” describing temporary patches that rapidly deteriorate. McKenzie said cold patch and short repairs do not hold up and urged more permanent paving, noting the season’s freeze-thaw cycles will undo temporary fixes.

In reply, committee members and staff said crews have been working in sections and that residents should report persistent potholes to public works online or by phone. A committee member said the township inspects and ranks roads, noting the municipality maintains many miles of roadway and that resurfacing capacity is limited; the clerk asked residents to report problems if they persist more than a week so the township can prioritize work.

Suzanne Gunther, a longtime resident of Northfield/Dorfield Estates, said streets in her development show wide cracks and two depressions that had been patched previously and asked how a neighborhood can get a road repaved. Township staff said the development’s streets are public roads and that the township engineer will inspect the area; staff also noted annual roadwork budgets and that competing needs mean not all roads can be resurfaced at once.

Why it matters: Road conditions affect safety, vehicle damage and drainage for neighborhoods; residents pressed for clearer information on how and when roads are selected for resurfacing and on responsibilities for clearing curbs and storm lines.

What the record shows: Officials encouraged residents to report specific potholes to public works, to use the township’s online reporting system and to contact the clerk if problems persist. The transcript records no immediate commitment to a specific resurfacing timeline or dollar amount for the affected streets.