Residents of a senior housing development off Interstate 95 are seeking measures to mute the noise from passing traffic.
By:Lea Kahn Staff Writer
When Carmen Milbuta bought her home in the Federal Point development off Federal City Road, she was so excited that she did not pay much attention to the fact that the development borders Interstate Highway 95.
But now that she has lived in the development for awhile, the noise from the interstate highway has become nearly unbearable and some residents cannot enjoy their patios, Ms. Milbuta told Township Council Tuesday night.
Ms. Milbuta, who lives on Federal Point Boulevard, was among a dozen residents of the 140-unit, age-restricted development who turned out to ask Township Council for help in resolving the noise issue.
Ms. Milbuta told the council that she attended a recent meeting held by the state Department of Transportation to discuss the noise barrier that is slated to be built along the perimeter of the Long Acres subdivision.
She said the residents have learned that their development is not eligible for construction of a noise barrier because it was built after I-95 was constructed. A state DOT representative at the meeting suggested installing two rows of white pine trees along the perimeter to absorb the noise, she said.
"We are here to ask you to help us," Ms. Milbuta said. "We are all senior citizens and we are all taxpayers. We love our homes and we love Lawrence Township, but we just want a little better quality of life."
A berm and a wooden fence have been constructed along the development’s border with the highway to lessen the noise, but they do not extend to the end of Federal Point Boulevard.
Alice Ann Mullaney, who lives on Federal Point Boulevard, said she noticed that the berm and wooden fence atop it stop short of her home. She said she lives in one of the units closest to the highway, and she can see the cars and trucks as they drive by.
Jean Howarth, who also lives on Federal Point Boulevard, said that the units constructed closest to the highway were provided with special windows that would blunt the noise. The units also were provided with 4-foot-tall fences, she said.
"I was reassured that the sound would be lower," Ms. Howarth said. "I don’t have a problem with the noise, but I feel for the residents who live near the highway. I agree with my neighbors something must be done. Even with the windows closed and earplugs, you will hear it."
Mayor Pam Mount said she and Councilman Greg Puliti served on the Planning Board when the Federal Point at Lawrenceville subdivision was approved in 2001. At that time, they were concerned about the noise from the highway, she said.
"It is difficult," Mayor Mount said. "When someone owns property, they have certain rights (to develop it). I want to be clear about it (the Planning Board) wanted berms and a buffer."
Mayor Mount said she would review the resolution of memorialization adopted by the Planning Board when it approved the Federal Point subdivision, to determine what the developer was required to do. She promised to get back to the residents with her findings.
Mr. Puliti said he had been involved with the DOT and the Long Acres residents’ push for a noise barrier for several years. It’s a "long, drawn-out process," he said, adding that he did not want to give the Federal Point residents false hopes.

