Westfiled Council 5/8/02
A nearly completed traffic project designed to make the south end of Rahway Avenue safer, brought lively debate between neighborhood citizens and council members at the May 7 meeting of the Westfield Municipal Council. The meeting commenced without Mayor Gregory S. McDermott who was at a Washington meeting with President George W Bush.
Warren Victor, a town resident delivered a resolution accusing the town of failing to inform its citizens about the four foot bumpouts at major intersections on the south end of Rahway Avenue. He compared the project to a similar initiative on South Avenue in Plainfield which he claimed was responsible for 37 traffic accidents in the past year. Abetting his case was Robert Ferraro,second ward councilman of Plainfield who noted the town has been paying claims to motorists who said the abutment caused accidents.
Council member Carl Salisbury rebutted Mr. Victor’s arguments noting that there had been many weeks of discussion regarding the project when it was initiated in 1999.
“We are not going to create accidents. We are going to make Rahway Avenue safer”, said Council Member Rafael Betancourt.
“We need to slow people down " said Betancourt, who added that Rahway Avenue has had a large percentage of the speeding infractions in town.
Town Engineer Ken Marsh further explained that Rahway Avenue is the longest stretch of road in Westfield with no stop signs or traffic lights.
“We didn’t just do this. We got a lot of feedback from many different people “ said Marsh.
He added that the comparisons between South Avenue in Plainfield and Rahway Avenue are not valid, noting that South Avenue is eight feet narrower than Rahway Avenue.
In addition to Mr. Victor, several other residents of Plymouth Road spoke on his behalf , while other citizens spoke on behalf of the bumpouts saying they will make Rahway Avenue much easier to cross.
Another lively debate involved the resolution to close South Chestnut Street between Fourth Avenue and the town line on Mondays through Fridays from 5 PM to dusk during baseball season and on Saturdays from 8 am to 7 PM and Sundays from 12 noon to 7 PM. Nearby residents opposing it said that traffic would be diverted to other streets which may not be equipped to handle the new traffic.
Council member Claire Lazarowitz read a letter from Captain Miki Urso of The Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad which has been named the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Volunteer Service of the Year by, the State of New Jersey's Department of Health and Senior Services. The squad will receive the award at the EMS awards dinner, which will be held on May 20,2002.
"We are honored to have been chosen from among squads around the state,"
said. "Our members have shown dedication and
professionalism. They are truly deserving of this award."
Warren Victor, a town resident delivered a resolution accusing the town of failing to inform its citizens about the four foot bumpouts at major intersections on the south end of Rahway Avenue. He compared the project to a similar initiative on South Avenue in Plainfield which he claimed was responsible for 37 traffic accidents in the past year. Abetting his case was Robert Ferraro,second ward councilman of Plainfield who noted the town has been paying claims to motorists who said the abutment caused accidents.
Council member Carl Salisbury rebutted Mr. Victor’s arguments noting that there had been many weeks of discussion regarding the project when it was initiated in 1999.
“We are not going to create accidents. We are going to make Rahway Avenue safer”, said Council Member Rafael Betancourt.
“We need to slow people down " said Betancourt, who added that Rahway Avenue has had a large percentage of the speeding infractions in town.
Town Engineer Ken Marsh further explained that Rahway Avenue is the longest stretch of road in Westfield with no stop signs or traffic lights.
“We didn’t just do this. We got a lot of feedback from many different people “ said Marsh.
He added that the comparisons between South Avenue in Plainfield and Rahway Avenue are not valid, noting that South Avenue is eight feet narrower than Rahway Avenue.
In addition to Mr. Victor, several other residents of Plymouth Road spoke on his behalf , while other citizens spoke on behalf of the bumpouts saying they will make Rahway Avenue much easier to cross.
Another lively debate involved the resolution to close South Chestnut Street between Fourth Avenue and the town line on Mondays through Fridays from 5 PM to dusk during baseball season and on Saturdays from 8 am to 7 PM and Sundays from 12 noon to 7 PM. Nearby residents opposing it said that traffic would be diverted to other streets which may not be equipped to handle the new traffic.
Council member Claire Lazarowitz read a letter from Captain Miki Urso of The Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad which has been named the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Volunteer Service of the Year by, the State of New Jersey's Department of Health and Senior Services. The squad will receive the award at the EMS awards dinner, which will be held on May 20,2002.
"We are honored to have been chosen from among squads around the state,"
said. "Our members have shown dedication and
professionalism. They are truly deserving of this award."
posted by David Lazarus at 5:50 PM
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