Residents urge traffic calming; commissioners say artificial turf is now prohibited

Public commentators at the July 30 meeting raised neighborhood traffic and coastal‑protection questions and sought clarity on enforcement of the borough’s artificial‑turf prohibition.

Traffic calming request: Mike Marino told commissioners that recent roadwork on Park Boulevard and Christie Avenue needs additional measures to improve safety. He recommended striping to reduce the roadway from two lanes to one in spots and adding signage to calm traffic. Commissioners acknowledged the concern and noted traffic‑calming grant work is pending with Colliers Engineering.

Seawall question and turf enforcement: Michael Garrick asked whether the Back Bay seawalls were raised to meet the requirements of a new program (the discussion used a term rendered in the transcript as "real" or similar). The borough engineer said bulkhead height conforms to current borough ordinance and that the referenced program, to his knowledge, does not address bulkheads. Garrick also asked about existing artificial turf installations; the chair responded that artificial grass is prohibited, some properties have received violation notices, and the borough may pursue enforcement through municipal court if property owners do not comply.

Why it matters: traffic‑calming changes would affect street geometry and parking; seawall heights and compliance standards matter for property owners and for future grant or regulatory programs. Clarified turf rules affect homeowners who installed nonconforming material in prior years.

What happens next: the borough will continue to pursue funding and engineering for traffic calming, monitor dredging and outfall‑grant developments, and the clerk/code enforcement will publish FAQs and proceed with enforcement or referrals when necessary.