Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mahwah repeals local U-turn ban after NJDOT order; residents press for traffic fixes on Martis Place and Reid Court
Summary
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 2093, repealing the local U-turn prohibition for Martis Place and Reid Court after the New Jersey Department of Transportation told the Township to stop enforcing provisions tied to a prior ordinance. Multiple residents testified about safety concerns and urged signage, enforcement, and coordination with state and federal representatives.
Mahwah Township Council voted on May 4 to adopt Ordinance No. 2093, repealing a local traffic-control ordinance after the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) advised the Township to cease enforcement of traffic-control elements tied to the earlier ordinance.
Township Engineer Michael Kelly told the Council that the State had sent a letter instructing the Township to stop using traffic control devices related to the ordinance and to halt enforcement of its provisions. Residents from Martis Place and Reid Court told the Council they have observed out-of-state buses and commercial vehicles using neighborhood streets, creating safety concerns for pedestrians and children.
Several residents urged the Council to rewrite the ordinance to meet NJDOT requirements, add clearer signage (including “no outlet” signs), and consider unmarked enforcement. Jerome Broddy (29 Reid Court) and Donna Davino (269 Martis Place) told the Council they were “very disappointed” in the need to repeal the rule and asked for a reworked solution that would meet state rules. Residents also suggested using the field opposite Secor Farms as a bus turnaround to avoid routing large vehicles through the neighborhood.
Mayor Jim Wysocki said he had contacted the bus company and Rockland school officials but had not yet secured an operational fix; he also reported outreach to Congressman Josh Gottheimer and plans to arrange a meeting with NJDOT. Council President Robert M. Ferguson acknowledged residents’ frustration and said the Council has been actively seeking options, including additional traffic studies and coordination with state agencies.
Why it matters: the repeal restores compliance with state direction but leaves neighborhood residents asking for near-term, enforceable measures to reduce hazardous traffic patterns and heavy-vehicle use of small residential streets. The minutes show multiple residents requested signage, enforcement and route adjustments as immediate remedies.
What’s next: Council members proposed additional transportation committee work and scheduled further discussions and traffic counts; the Township Engineer said he would look into arranging a traffic study for Martis Place and Reid Court and pursue options raised by residents.
