| Dave Staph, Borough Engineer, said Nextel
offered an alternate plan for communications equipment at Rocky Hill's
water tower. Van Cleef Engineering does not recommend the alternate site
plan. The sewer easement behind the properties on the north side of Route
5 1 8 from the Rescue Squad east has been cleared of debris and the right
of way is now open.
Mayor Nolan stated that Rocky Hill's application to receive a Center
Designation was approved by the State Sub Committee. The application will
be presented to the full committee on May 16th, 2001 for final
approval.
Daniel Cielsa, a principal engineer for Somerset County, presented the
Traffic Calming Plan for Washington Street and its corresponding
intersections. Key elements of the plan include: intersections will be
"bumped out" to narrow the roadway and slow traffic; some
intersections will be realigned to make turning safer; and all
intersections will be embossed with pavement texturing to make them stand
out to oncoming traffic.
Once the plan is finalized, the work should be completed in 2001. At
the conclusion of the presentation, residents were invited to comment on
the Traffic Calming Plan.
Primary concerns and comments included:
o A sidewalk between Merritt Lane and the Wawa convenience store and a
crosswalk over 518 near Merritt Lane should be added to the plan. Mayor
Nolan indicated these items would be addressed once the proposed
improvements are completed.
o The home owner on the comer of Crescent Avenue and Washington Street
will lose some property and associated hedge under the current plan.
Somerset County will revisit the plan for this intersection, and determine
if there are other alternatives, like using some of the park land across
the street to protect this property.
o A few residents wanted to know if the Plan could be adjusted to make
each lane on Washington Street 12 feet; the County is recommending 15
feet.
o A representative from the Princeton Bike Club expressed concern for
bike riders with the new "bump outs" provided in the Plan and
the width of Washington Street going from 40 feet to 30 feet in some
areas.
o A resident of Crescent Avenue had concerns about traffic on that
street; Mayor Nolan stated that the current plan only addresses Washington
Street, however, other county roads will be addressed in future
applications and grants.
o A few residents supported a "one-way" traffic plan around
the block made up of Crescent Avenue East and Princeton Avenue. o A few
residents pointed out that the Plan does not address pedestrians crossing
in front of the Post Office: the County indicated that residents should be
using the Princeton Avenue crossing to access the Post Office.
Larry Raffaelli, Building Inspector, reported that the owner of 32
Princeton Avenue is living in the home without a Certificate of Occupancy.
A letter of violation will be sent to the homeowner. He is still checking
the trailer at 90 Princeton Avenue.
Lt. Barbaccio, NJ State Police, stated they issued 20 summons and 19
warnings during April. |