By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Residents of Williamsburg Village, Clifton Village and Chesterfield Township came to Montpelier Street on Saturday afternoon to protest the widening of the N.J. Turnpike.
The objective of the protest was to rally support and for residents to add their names to a petition that has already gathered approximately 750 names, said Williamsburg Village Homeowners Association President George Swan.
The protest took place near the turnpike sound barrier, with approximately 100 residents wielding signs and chanting their displeasure over the announcement that some of their properties could succumb if the project moves ahead.
According to Mr. Swan, the point of the protest was not only to “make residents’ feelings known,” but to also use the opportunity to gather support from residents who would be adversely affected by the widening.
They hoped to bring together the diverse communities that will be affected in Bordentown Township, Chesterfield and Mansfield, he added.
The protest was organized by the homeowners association of the Williamsburg community, a neighborhood of approximately 400 townhouses located off Georgetown Road.
The proposed plan, which would start construction in late 2008, is expected to add an additional six lanes from a point approximately two miles south of Interchange 6, in Mansfield, to the existing 10-lane roadway south of Interchange 8A.
”As of right now we’re not sure how many homes will succumb to the right-of-way, and the Turnpike Authority isn’t giving out definite numbers,” he added.
At a meeting in late September, three turnpike engineers told an audience of approximately 100 area residents at the Bordentown Township Senior Center that to make the expansion happen, some properties will succumb to “right of way.”
Some residents had speculated that the widening would force the community to lose up to 40 houses, as well as a playground and a tennis court.
Township Committeemen Mark Roselli, Bill Morelli, Rob Delaney and Mayor George Chidley also attended, state Assemblyman Joseph Malone, R-7th, put in an appearance, and residents Les Young and Mr. Swan spoke against the project.
”The goal was to bring residents together, and to use one common voice, and urge individuals to start writing letters saying why project is a bad idea,” said Mr. Swan.
There are currently two petitions being circulated door-to-door to gather signatures against the expansion. Mr. Swan explained that there was a separate petition crafted for participants who live in Chesterfield.
”We don’t want this turnpike expansion, because it will be putting forth noxious fumes, and it will only increase the strain that is currently placed on our emergency medical services in the township,” he added.
He noted that whenever an accident occurs on the turnpike in the Bordentown area, police and EMS from the township respond, thus taking away personnel that would be available if something happened inside of the township.
With an increase in turnpike traffic, this would present an even greater strain, he noted.
The goal is to submit both petitions (with a combined name total of 1,000 names) to the office of the governor by mid-November, said Mr. Swan.
”We want to hold off to deliver the petitions until after the election season, for maximum reaction,” he added.
