By David Kilby, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Certain residents in the community, including Township Committee members, believe more traffic signs are needed around town, especially in residential areas.
”During my tour of the township prior to being on the Township Committee, I had met many residents who came to me and asked ‘Why aren’t there any signs on the streets?’” Committeeman Steve Benowitz said at the Jan. 28 committee meeting. “They didn’t feel safe.”
He said he spoke with Chief Frank Nucera and Public Works and suggested making a survey of the township to determine what streets need more signs, such as “Children at Play” and “Speed Strictly Enforced.”
”This is in the interest of public safety,” Mr. Benowitz said. “We’re not talking about every street in the township. It’s my understanding that the cost would be minimal. I just wanted to bring it up for consideration and discussion.”
Mayor Jim Cann then asked Chief Nucera if the township police officers ever bring back suggestions for more signage on the streets.
The chief replied the officers do regularly check that all existing signage is up and visible.
”If we have a situation where we have excessive speeders or hazards, like at (Route) 130 and South Gate, they bring it back, and we address that,” he added.
Chief Nucera also said after they received complaints about Route 528 in the township the police conducted a traffic survey that involved Burlington County. .
”We will go around, and we can look, but as far as upgrading residential developments with new signage on a regular basis, unless there’s an issue, we’ll have to say no,” he said.
But he did agree to tentatively conduct a survey to see where signs may be needed or improved, and Mr. Benowitz said he would like to help.
Mayor Cann said there are roads with signs that have “lost their luster” and mentioned other committee members have brought this up in the past.
Dean Buhrer, director of Public Works, said he liked the idea Mr. Benowitz had to conduct a survey. Mr. Buhrer said oftentimes he has gone out to put a sign where he thought someone had requested it — only to find out later it had actually been the wrong spot.
”If I could meet them face to face before we go out there, I would welcome that,” Mr. Buhrer said.
Chief Nucera said the signage guidelines are nationwide, which makes things more difficult when a municipality wants to customize sign placement in their community.
Mayor Cann said he had no problem with a survey being conducted as long as it is consistent and is brought back to the committee before action is taken.
”I would be concerned that every resident would want a ‘Child at Play’ sign,” Committeeman Karl Feltes added.

