By: Stephanie Prokop
FLORENCE The township is considering relining the road on Delaware Avenue to prevent double-parking trucks near the Corner Deli on the northbound side of the road.
Vehicles traveling down Delaware Avenue near the Corner Deli have previously had to veer into oncoming traffic, said Don Kamienski of McCay Drive in Roebling. He has been presenting information to the Township Council since the beginning of the year asking it to establish an ordinance that would prohibit truck parking on the shoulder of the roadway.
Mr. Kamienski said at the May 9 council meeting that 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 ReadyPac 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.
Since petitioning to the council, Mr. Kamienski also has written and presented information to the county.
He then received word that an ordinance addressing the parking situation could be introduced if the council gave the go-ahead to create one.
Abe Kolari, the owner of the deli, agreed with Mr. Kamienski during the May 9 meeting that something must be addressed regarding the parking issue.
He had suggested that the council make the area by the deli a no-parking zone.
Some residents asked the Township Council if it decided to do this on one side of the township, if there could potentially be multiple sites in the township where this could be an issue.
However, the Township Council did say this particular stretch of Delaware Avenue was a concern, said Township Administrator Richard Brook previously.
On June 15, Mr. Kamienski said that assistant Township Administrator Tom Sahol stated that he would be interviewing approximately 15 residents of Delaware Avenue asking them if they would provide insights on a few points.
The two proposed ideas, according to Mr. Kamienski, were to make the northbound side of Delaware Avenue (the side of the deli) a no-parking zone, thus forcing all parking to the southbound side.
The second point would concern moving the double yellow line 2 feet farther toward the northbound curb.
Mr. Kamienski said that when he learned of this plan, he thought it was a smart idea, but wanted to make some further suggestions to maximize the effect of moving the double yellow line.
"I suggested to move the line 4 feet closer to the northbound curb," said Mr. Kamienski via phone on Friday.
"Trucks would be able to park on the southbound side," said Mr. Kamienski.
Mr. Kamienski said this solution would ease the problems associated with cars driving over the yellow line that happens so much every day.
Mr. Brook said that although the issue is "still under consideration by the governing body," Mr. Sahol had issued a letter to the residents of Delaware Avenue that will be distributed this week.
Mr. Brook also noted that while nothing is scheduled on the July 11 meeting agenda about the parking issue, he anticipates the issue will come up in mid- to late- August, once residents receive and digest the letter.
"I’d imagine that people will come and provide comment on the matter," he sad.

