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Residents press Colts Neck committee on stop-sign placement, OPRA records and transparency
Summary
Multiple residents used public comment April 9 to raise traffic-safety concerns about stop-sign placement and speed limits, request more detailed bills-list and invoice information via OPRA, and press for greater transparency; committee members responded and invited follow-up with staff.
Public comment at the April 9 Colts Neck Township Committee meeting focused on traffic-safety concerns, open‑records requests and requests for more informative billing descriptions.
Resident Mr. Seiko told the committee that inconsistent speed limits and stop-sign placement are a problem in town and said his OPRA request for invoices and records about sign installations was not fully satisfied. He urged the committee to address the issue and said the absence of records suggested the committee had not documented discussions he expected. "What is a problem in this town is speed limits," he said, adding that the manual on uniform traffic control devices contains placement criteria he believes were not followed.
Township officials responded in turn. Mayor Bus and other committee members said they had spoken with police about signage, invited Mr. Seiko to follow up with the municipal clerk on the OPRA requests and noted that opinions among residents are mixed. One committee member encouraged any resident with questions to contact officials privately or request additional information; staff offered to review invoices and billing backup with residents.
Resident Fulton Wilcox asked for more detailed descriptions on the bills list so residents could see what value was delivered by municipal spending, citing line-item invoices (for example, TNM and Griffin Engineering). The committee noted some invoices are lengthy or may be redacted for pending litigation but said staff will provide contacts for follow-up. Resident Michelle Batista described curb-replacement work on White Oak Drive and nearby streets that left uneven aprons, standing water risk and tar debris; the committee said engineers (TNM Engineering) determine which curbs require replacement and that contractors would be asked to rectify debris and defects.
The committee closed public comment and adjourned the meeting, announcing a budget‑hearing meeting April 30. Several members reiterated their openness to meet with residents one‑on‑one to resolve lingering questions and review records.
