Other big items include $360,000 for emergency management equipment and $210,000 for Public Works equipment.
By: Charlie Olsen
Orchard Drive residents, who turned out in force Tuesday to make sure action was being taken to deal with the vehicles they say tear through the neighborhood at a dangerous clip, may be getting some response to their concerns.
After complaining to the Township Committee at the March 28 meeting about the traffic on their street which is very narrow in places improvements to Orchard Road were included in the proposed capital planning ordinance unanimously introduced Tuesday.
Orchard Drive’s improvements were a part of $745,700 in road overlays and repairs in the capital plan, which prioritizes township projects, and are considered a "high priority," according to Township Administrator Kevin Davis.
Other big items include $360,000 for emergency management equipment including emergency generators and a mobile command post and $210,000 for Public Works equipment.
Mr. Davis assured residents that the township is working through several options for the 25-mph road with the Engineering Department, including one recommendation that the road be closed off or turned into a one-way street.
Committeeman Paul Drake said he believed the best way to deal with Orchard Drive was to learn more about the traffic patterns, to avoid diverting the same amount of traffic onto other roads.
"That’s one response to one neighborhood," said Mr. Drake. "It’s important to see the overall flow of the commute rather than have people whipping through other neighborhoods."
Deputy Mayor Anthony Ferrera stressed they were working on five to eight alternatives and that there would be no "knee-jerk" reaction. "That might work: change it each week," Mr. Davis joked in response.
The capital plan uses off-site developers’ contributions to avoid borrowing money to pay for the projects.
"Many other communities rely upon debt to make these purchases, but Hillsborough does not," said Committeeman Bob Wagner. "As a result taxpayers are saving at least $200,000 in interest payments the township does not have to make this year."
The committee will hold a public hearing May 9 before a final vote on the ordinance.

