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Residents press for repaving and raise safety, code and bridge concerns; fire companies report donations
Summary
During public comment June 17, residents urged repaving of neighborhood roads, asked about restriping and curbing, raised concerns about a group home and emergency response, and asked about Ridge Road bridge timing; Vincent and Hampton Lakes fire companies reported foundation donations and grant activity.
Multiple residents used the public-comment portion of the June 17 meeting to press township officials on road conditions and public-safety matters.
Susan Costales asked the Committee to repave Picardy Place, Farrington Court, Cambridge Court and Kingston Way. Mayor Ronald Heston responded that the township has a road program expected to spend approximately $2 million, with bids to be advertised in July and a contract anticipated in August. Administrator Brandon Umba said Leisuretowne repaving will target the section from Route 70 to Laurel Hall and that the Alaimo Group and Environmental Resolutions, Inc., will handle different segments of the work. Umba said the township requested estimates for a crosswalk and lighting on Huntington Drive.
Other residents raised related concerns: Pat Finlay asked whether restriping is included in the roadway budget; Umba said restriping is included when a full curb-to-curb pave is performed and that contractor work is typically required for reflective striping. Bill Cozzi asked about curbing repairs and whether curb painting to prevent restricted parking could be included in specs; Umba said he would consult the engineer. Cozzi also asked whether BEMS Solar would repave St. Davids Place; Umba said the solar company is negotiating to provide funds to include that street in the municipal program.
Jennifer Wobbe raised issues about a group home at 106 Landing Street and said callers had contacted State Police; Umba explained the township performs annual fire inspections but that group homes are overseen by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and that the township can request DCFS or State Police assistance for specific problems. Evie Doherty said she called 911 after a fall and said firefighters arrived instead of EMS and that a Medford agency did not address her injury; Mayor Heston thanked her for bringing the situation to the Committee's attention.
Tom Haluszczak asked when the Ridge Road bridge would reopen; Heston said the bridge commission reported progress and expected completion by the end of the month. Resident Ramilia Scott said she believed no work had occurred for three weeks; Committeeman William Raftery explained that newly poured concrete requires 28 days for cure and testing, which can account for gaps in visible activity.
Fire-company reports: Scott Mitchell of Vincent Fire Company said the department received $40,000 from the Holly Haines Family Foundation toward tools for a new truck, has submitted a SAFER grant application for PPE/training/education support and noted a tender out of service pending repair. Michael Rathjen of Hampton Lakes Fire Company said the department received $25,000 from the Holly Haines Family Foundation for turnout gear, is awaiting two truck-repair quotes, and urged residents to get permits from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for bonfires during wildfire season.
