Traffic Debate Dominates Council Agenda

Tuesday evening's Town Council meeting covered a variety of routine traffic issues, following a pattern in low key meetings in recent months.

A group of residents came forward to continue their pattern of questioning the Council on the location of the new light at Central Avenue near Clover Street. The residents repeated previous questions on the location of the light, which they said was placed on a resident's lawn and not at the intersection. In previous Council meetings, the small group has said the location has caused hardship to the resident.

The light, which is pedestrian activated was put in as part of the Central Avenue traffic pattern upgrades. The light is meant to provide a place for students to cross Central closer to the Clark township line to get towards Jefferson School and Edison Intermediate School. In past meetings, the Council said the location was picked after neighborhood residents objected to increased traffic on Clover. The opponents have vowed to continue to address the Council until the light is moved.

One of the main points was that the proper notification was not given to this woman that the light would in fact be placed on her driveway. Her main quarrel was that the notification given to her stated the new signal would in fact be at the intersection, and she is now irritated at the lack of respect for her property.

 "We have a disagreement on the proper placement (of the light) but we will do a reanalysis after some period of time," Mayor Andy Skibitsky said.

In addition to the Central and Clover debate, the Council voted to adopt a new no turn on red policy for the corner of Summit Avenue and South Avenue. Council members explained the policy would alleviate additional cars turning on to the heavily traveled South Avenue.

The new policy comes several months after the Council changed the traffic pattern at South and Boulevard to reduce traffic congestion and accidents.

Amongst other things discussed at the meeting were a new "No Turn on Red" policy being adapted at the corner of Summit Avenue and South Avenue. This policy will be put into effect shortly and will help to keep such a busy street such as South Avenue safe.