ALLENTOWN – A meeting that will allow Monmouth County representatives to explain the details of a traffic study being conducted in Allentown has been scheduled for Oct. 2.
Moving Mindfully: MonmouthMercer will focus on regional traffic issues, Mayor Greg Westfall said. He said the county will be conducting focus groups regarding this issue of importance to Allentown’s residents and business owners.
The first meeting will take place from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 2, with a presentation at 7:30 p.m., at the Stone Bridge Middle School, 1252 Yardville-Allentown Road, Upper Freehold Township.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions and provide input, according to David Schmetterer, principal planner with the Monmouth County Division of Planning.
The meeting was initially announced by Westfall during the Sept. 11 meeting of the Borough Council and confirmed by Schmetterer in a Sept. 21 email to municipal officials.
In other business at the council’s Sept. 11 meeting, following the resignation of a Shade Tree Commission member, council members adjusted the terms of several of the panel’s members.
In a resolution passed that evening, the council accepted the resignation of Jason Cincotta from the commission. The term Cincotta held will expire on Dec. 31.
Lisa Strovinsky, who had been serving as the commission’s first alternate, was moved to the full membership position. Her term will end on Dec. 31.
Taylor J. Sapudar, was serving as the commission’s second alternate, was moved to the first alternate position. Sapudar’s term will expire on Dec. 31, 2020.
The commission’s second alternate position, with a term expiring on Dec. 31, 2021, is now vacant and awaiting an appointment by the council.
In other business, the council appointed Maria Linzmayer to a term on the Historic Preservation Review Commission. According to a resolution, there were two vacancies on the commission, with one being a Class A membership position and the other being a Class C Alternate No. 2 position.
Officials said Linzmayer submitted her citizen leadership form on Sept. 7 requesting an appointment to the commission. Council members took action to appoint Linzmayer to the Class C Alternate No. 2 position for a term expiring on Dec. 31, 2020.
And, Councilman Rob Schmitt reminded residents Allentown is undertaking a project to replace old water meters. Installation of the new water meters is expected to take place later this year.
Schmitt said he wants residents to know representatives of the company that has been hired to install the new meters will not show up at a home unannounced. He said the company will work on a street in an orderly manner and will contact residents to make an appointment to install the new meter in a resident’s home.
During public comment, Linda Cotte, who is running for a seat on the council, returned to a topic she has spoken about during previous meetings. Cotte said Allentown continues to have a problem with stagnant water “and stagnant water breeds mosquitoes.”
“Can we talk to the county about that?” she asked. “We won’t solve the mosquito problem until we deal with the stagnant water.”
Westfall said the watershed that includes Allentown needs to be examined, adding, “We need cooperation from Monmouth and Mercer counties as this problem is occurring in the area of the boundary at both counties.”