Former New Jersey legislator will help town ‘cut through the red tape,’ officials say.
By: Cynthia Koons
WASHINGTON In order to expedite state approval of six township road projects, the Washington Township Committee hopes to hire a former New Jersey legislator to cut through the red tape.
The committee approved the hiring of Robert Roe, a former Democratic congressman for Passaic County, at a rate of $10,000 per month for 10 months. If approved by the state’s Department of Community Affairs, his position will be financed through a grant the town has secured for the Town Center project.
Construction of Town Center hinges on the completion of six road projects including the widening of Route 33, the building of a Robbinsville bypass, a southerly bypass and an extension to Route 526.
"He would help us coordinate talks with the state Department of Transportation and talk with regulators at the federal level," said Peter Sheridan, township attorney.
The township also has to contend with Conrail in order to build roads that would cross an out-of-service train line, he said.
The southerly bypass crosses the Conrail line and is an extension of Washington Boulevard and connects to Route 130 in Hamilton Township.
A Robbinsville bypass will run through the municipal complex and cross Route 130 and connect where Route 33 ties into Route 130, Township Administrator Jack West said.
"We’re doing the Robbinsville bypass; some of the developers in Town Center are doing the 526 extension," Mr. West said. "There are numerous permits that are required."
Mr. Roe, who has a history of working with transportation laws, handles township road projects for a number of companies and municipalities.
"The township isn’t any different than any entity," Mr. Sheridan said. "It’s just very difficult to get permitting done.
"(Mr. Roe) has a wonderful reputation amongst both state and federal transportation regulators based on his career of service. He’s an extraordinarily effective advocate," Mr. Sheridan said.
Up to this point, Mr. Sheridan said, there was no one person responsible for the road projects in town.
"It was really no one’s job. No one had responsibility for coordinating the movement for all six of these roadway programs," he said. "One of the things (the Township Committee) wants to do is make sure the public improvements are in place as quickly as possible to accommodate the development as it goes on line."
He said responsibility for the road projects was dispersed among many different people.
"Different people were going in for each different (project)," Mr. Sheridan said. "You have to show the state that there are these six projects that are all related to each other and all need attention."
With Mr. Roe’s help, Mr. Sheridan said, he is confident the road projects will move ahead more quickly.

