Committee says it needs more information before voting
By:Vanessa S. Holt
CHESTERFIELD The Township Committee on Dec. 27 decided it needed more information and discussion before it could vote to assume the costs of a new traffic signal and before it could create a one-way section on Front Street.
Last month, the Township Committee learned it would have to pay for a quarter of the cost of a proposed traffic signal at county Route 537 and Monmouth Road and would be responsible for the cost of electricity to the light.
Township Engineer Nancy Jamanow said last week the county estimated the cost of a traffic signal to be $125,000 to $150,000. The electric cost to the township would probably be about $30 per month, she said.
"Where’s that money coming from?" Mayor Larry Durr asked at the Dec. 19 meeting after the figures were announced. "I’m not sure it’s completely fair."
Mayor Durr said he does want the light at the intersection, where police said 29 accidents have occurred in the past three years. A 9-year-old North Hanover boy died in an accident at the site on Nov. 9.
Committee members agreed the township could pay the electric bill for the light, but did not move on the resolution, instead opting to ask the county to bear the cost of the signal.
"Their road is the one that necessitates the signal, not ours," noted Deputy Mayor Michael Hlubik.
Also discussed at the meeting was an ordinance to make Front Street a one-way street between Church Street and Chesterfield-Crosswicks Road.
After a public hearing, the Township Committee decided not to move on the measure because committee members said they were concerned about how the change would affect traffic patterns and school bus routes.
"There’s a concern we’re just dumping traffic from one place to another," said Deputy Mayor Michael Hlubik, noting the traffic that currently goes both ways down the residential street would be diverted to other streets in the area.
Committeeman Brian Kelly suggested restricting one-way travel to morning hours, but added that it makes sense for the township to control the direction of traffic on the street. He said the township also should talk to school officials about how any changes could affect bus routes.
Township Clerk Bonnie Haines said dates for future discussion or action on either measure have not yet been scheduled.
Finally, the committee decided upon a new name for a portion of road that was part of Chesterfield-Crosswicks Road (county Route 677) until the intersection with Bordentown-Chesterfield Road (county Route 528) was realigned in 2000.
The small section of road behind the Farmers and Mechanics Bank has caused some confusion as it does not appear to actually be part of Chesterfield-Crosswicks Road since the realignment, said officials.
Township Committee members agreed upon Matthews Lane for the short section of road.

