Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press Riverside committee on resurfacing, PSE&G excavations, noise and rental conversions
Summary
During public comment residents urged the committee to address street conditions after utility excavations, speeding and loud parties, and raised concerns about rental conversions; Administrator Jack said PSE&G will resurface excavated streets but that work "probably will not happen until the Spring of 2025."
Several Riverside residents used the public-comment period on Aug. 19 to press the Township Committee on street conditions, utility trenching, enforcement of noise and nuisance complaints, and the growing number of rental properties.
Janine Blunt asked whether the township had a plan to improve streets and complained about speeding and loud music after 11 p.m.; Administrator Meghan Jack replied that PSE&G is working in grids and "will be responsible for resurfacing the streets that they are excavating. This probably will not happen until the Spring of 2025." Deputy Mayor Robert Giovanetti suggested residents report loud music to the non-emergency police number.
Other residents raised storm-hardening and policing questions. Jared Ainsworth asked about reinforcing public buildings and initiatives to assist police canvassing; Chief H. David Jaensch said the department uses license-plate readers and has two speed signs. A neighbor praised a 15-minute police response when she called about parties and thanked officers for action. Residents also reported nuisance behavior by dirt-bike riders; Detective Joo is recorded as responding to at least one complaint.
Several speakers, including Rob Smith of Dauphin Street, expressed concern that a growing number of rental properties and duplex conversions are harming property values. The township clerk and solicitor said they would route those inquiries to the committee and research the township's authority on rental limits and enforcement remedies.
What the committee said it would do: Administrator Jack agreed to provide county contact information for mosquito spraying (which residents said was a county program) and to check records requested by residents regarding certificates of occupancy. The solicitor agreed to research whether the township can limit the percentage of rental properties.
Next steps: The committee did not take immediate regulatory action during the meeting; residents were advised to report disturbances to the police and to submit formal complaints if needed. The township will follow up on records requests and the solicitor's review of rental-regulation options.
