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Residents and council debate tree root damage and traffic safety at Tulip–Oak; council cites prior ordinance
Summary
Residents raised concerns about fallen and damaged trees and dangerous intersection conditions at Tulip and Oak; council members pointed to a previously passed ordinance limiting root cutting and said an NJDOT local improvement project and portable speed bumps are planned.
Several residents used public comment on Nov. 6 to press the city about tree failures and a hazardous intersection near Tulip and Oak streets, arguing that root cutting and water damage have left large trees unstable.
"When you look at the trees, stumped, there is no kind of roots... Only statement that I got was the, whoever did the roads, they cut back on the roots from the street," resident Joe Conasenti said, describing a fallen tree and others he believes are at risk.
Council President Schaer responded that the city had previously passed an ordinance limiting cutting of tree roots during road repairs and that engineers are inspecting affected trees. Schaer said some roads are under county or state jurisdiction and noted an NJDOT local transportation improvement project at Tulip and Oak; he also said the administration has ordered portable speed bumps for specific municipal streets where allowed.
Officials advised residents to bring photographs to code enforcement for property degradation concerns and to let engineers and public works evaluate trees for structural risk. No immediate remedial vote was taken at the meeting.
