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Residents press Wallington council on Main Avenue vibrations and lead‑line replacement costs
Summary
Residents told the council about house vibrations and repeated roadway excavations along Main Avenue; Mayor Melissa Dabal said the borough must replace galvanized and lead service lines by about 2031 at an estimated cost of $24 million and will pursue grants and an engineer meeting to review concerns.
Residents raised safety and infrastructure concerns about Main Avenue at the Wallington Mayor and Council meeting on March 26, describing vibrations, visibility problems and repeated road excavations that they say have affected homes in the corridor.
Peter Galecki of 53 Main Ave. brought photographs and described vibrations at his residence caused by traffic. Mayor Melissa Dabal said prior correspondence from Borough Engineer Juzmeski addresses some concerns and that Borough Administrator Jennifer Appice will arrange a meeting between Galecki and the engineer to review the matters in more detail.
Annette Smith of 57 Main Ave. said roads are repeatedly opened for water work and later excavated again for other utilities, such as PSE&G, and asked that vibration impacts be considered during upcoming projects. The mayor invited Ms. Smith to participate in the meeting with the borough engineer.
Mayor Dabal also told the public that, pursuant to State mandates, the borough is required to replace galvanized and lead service lines by roughly 2031, a program the mayor estimated could cost approximately $24 million. She said the borough will continue to pursue grant funding to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Other public comments included requests for clarification on Ordinance 2026‑11 (a draft water‑rate change) and local concerns about wheelchair/handicap parking rules and EMS response times; council members confirmed staff would follow up on those items.
What’s next: Administrator Appice will coordinate a meeting with Borough Engineer Juzmeski to assess vibration, visibility and excavation issues on Main Avenue; council members indicated the borough will pursue grant funding for lead‑line replacement.
Clarifying note: Cost and timing figures were stated in the meeting as estimates; the transcript records the mayor saying replacement is required "by approximately 2031" and an estimated cost of about $24 million.
