Florence council members, residents discuss Delaware Avenue situation.
By: Stephanie Prokop
FLORENCE The Township Council listened to comments, questions and suggestions at its work session May 9, where a handful of residents spoke out on the parking situation surrounding the Corner Deli on Delaware Avenue.
Don Kamienski, of McCay Drive in Roebling, presented information to the Township Council asking it to establish an ordinance that would prohibit truck parking on the shoulder of the roadway near the deli.
Mr. Kamienski said he feels it’s just a matter of time before an accident occurs on that stretch of road because the large trucks that are en route to the Ready PAC and Cream-O-Land plants stick out into the street when they’re parked. In order for cars to properly maneuver around the trucks, they have to play "chicken," he said, meaning there is room for only one car to pass either north or southbound.
Truck drivers park there because they are grabbing a quick sandwich and cup of coffee from the delicatessen, and most of the business occurs in the early morning hours, while commuter traffic is an issue.
The council took Mr. Kamienski’s comments into consideration and raised many points, such as why Mr. Kamienski was only concerned about this particular intersection.
"Why not extend this ordinance down to the boating marina? Why just down to Poplar Street?" asked Mayor Michael Muchowski.
Clint Paddock, a resident of Delaware Avenue a few blocks down from the deli, then stood up and said that if such an ordinance was passed, he would not want trucks parking farther down on his side of the street, in order to avoid the parking rule.
Michelle Paddock questioned the council on whether this was a problem that the police could monitor by perhaps issuing tickets to any truck drivers who violated the policy. Council members discussed whether having police issuing tickets would ultimately be a waste of time and money, considering that trucks park around the deli so frequently.
Abe Kolari, the owner of the deli, expressed surprise about why this was now becoming an issue, although he did say that he agrees that something needs to be done about the parking.
"If there is a problem, I think we do need to do something about it, because we all live in the community," he said.
Councilman Frank Baldorossi agreed that there may be a safety concern regarding large trucks parking on the street by the deli, but he wanted to clarify the language of the sign to specifically denote who was able to park.
Some council members questioned where to draw the line on oversized vehicles, since even a large SUV could stick out over the white painted line.
Councilman Bruce Garganio then clarified what the goal of the council was in looking to establish an ordinance regarding the parking situation.
"What we’re looking to do is to do something that wouldn’t be greatly detrimental to the business, but would limit how many oversized vehicles can park on the side of the street," he said.
Mayor Muchowski said that no matter what is done, the council still has to carefully consider its decision because "you’re treading on territory that could affect the entire township."
Former Florence Mayor George Sampson agreed with Mr. Kamienski’s concern, and said that due to the large trucks, when someone is making a turn out of Station Road they can’t see an oncoming car until it is too late.
Mr. Garganio said that he rather would err on the side of safety.
According to a document from Police Chief Gordon Dawson dated January 2007, there have been two reported motor vehicle collisions since 2004 in the stretch of road near the deli.
The first accident, which took place at the intersection of Delaware Avenue (county Route 656) and Station Road in 2004, was recorded as a minor motor vehicle collision with no injuries reported, and also no mention by either of the drivers about a view obstruction.
The same held true for the accident reported for 2006 in that intersection.
The meeting closed with the Township Council asking the township engineer to acquire more reports from the county, such as more-detailed traffic data.
Township Administrator Richard Brook said he anticipates the issue will come up again at the next council meeting, scheduled for June 6.