FANWOOD — The borough council on Monday introduced two traffic ordinances designed to improve safety on Martine Avenue and Tillotson Road.
One ordinance will establish “Don’t Block the Box” intersections along Martine Avenue to improve access to the roadway for emergency vehicles and other vehicles. Besides the existing box at the intersection of northbound Martine Avenue and Paterson Road, new ones will be established at the exit driveway from borough hall on to southbound Martine Avenue for police vehicles and in both directions at the intersection of Martine Avenue and Watson Road, primarily for rescue squad and fire department vehicles.
Police Director Michael Bramhall told the council at its business meeting that during the morning and afternoon rush hours, there is “a tremendous amount of volume” that creates a “safety issue” at those intersections.
The second ordinance will prohibit parking on both sides of Tillotson Road on school days between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. This is being done, Mr. Bramhall said, to alleviate congestion near Brunner School when parents are picking up and dropping off their children. Parked cars make it difficult for homeowners on Tillotson Road to safely enter and exit their driveways, he added.
The public hearings on both ordinances will be held at the council’s Monday, May 20 meeting.
The council approved a resolution setting the borough’s sewer utility rates for this year, which will not see any increase from 2023. Mayor Colleen Mahr thanked Tax Collector Colleen Huehn for her efforts in assembling the waterusage data and working effectively with the water company.
Councilman Anthony Carter said a meeting to discuss this year’s municipal budget was held recently, but that it would be “premature” to discuss specific numbers. “We’re still working vigorously,” he said, noting that borough officials are looking to come up with a spending plan that has “the least impact on our residents.”
Borough Engineer Antonios Panagopoulos said he hopes to solicit bids for the work at the Forest Road Park building, a project that is being separated into three different components: general construction, electrical and HVAC.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor Mahr appointed Jennifer Ives to the recreation commission and Ora Schiff to the shade tree commission. The mayor also honored 21 borough volunteers who have served on various boards and commissions for at least 10 years. “Without them,” she said, “the town would not be what it is.”
