Residents press Linden council on intersection safety and stalled zoning ordinances

Several residents used the public‑comment period to press the Linden City Council on traffic safety and perceived delays in the zoning process. Judy Byron described four accidents at the intersection of Gibbon Street and Keep Street between June 2024 and February 2025, including three that involved injuries, and urged the council to pursue safety measures such as speed bumps, barriers at shortcut corners, or additional four‑way stop signage. "There are ways the safety of this intersection can be improved," she said, and requested the matter be referred back to committee.

Virginia Malick reported near‑misses involving school buses stopping in traffic and private black buses picking up students in ways she called unsafe; she said she has filed a complaint with the police chief and intends to pursue the superintendent of schools.

John Kaeser criticized the council for repeatedly tabling zoning ordinances numbered 69‑28 and 69‑29 after they had been amended, reviewed and approved by the planning board. Kaeser said the ordinances "deserved a final vote," arguing that dragging a vetted package through months of delay undermines public trust.

Council leadership acknowledged the comments and the Council President stated the intersection safety concern would be referred back to committee for review. Public comment closed after the speakers finished and the council moved on to routine scheduling and adjournment.

The record shows these remarks occurred during the designated public‑comment portion of the meeting; no final council action on the zoning ordinances was taken during this session.