Breaking News
South Plainfield taxpayers being taken for a ride
July 15th, 2007
by: RICHARD V. PETRONE
Courier News Online
What was the real reason for the mad rush to redirect traffic off Hamilton Boulevard in South Plainfield? We were told that the reason for this was because of the congestion, noise and delays. Has anyone tried to travel from Hamilton Boulevard down South Clinton Avenue around 5 p.m.? Speaking of congestion, noise and delays; it is a nightmare. What happens when we have a good rainfall and try to use New Market Avenue between South Clinton Avenue and Hamilton Boulevard?
For the last 10 to 13 years, during political campaigns, we were told that the Helen Street project, to remove trucks from Hamilton Boulevard, was making progress. As recently as June 2006, at a presentation titled “solving the traffic problem in South Plainfield” by Mr. Charles Butrico, it was indicated that progress on Helen Street was being made and that the sign-off by the EPA could be expected by the summer of 2006, and construction would be completed by 2011.
Recent information on this project implies that because of the EPA and DEP concerns, and the Edison Wetlands opposition, the reality for this project going forward is remote and in all probability will not be completed.
You have noticed that construction on Hamilton Boulevard, for the last year to 18 months, has been completed. Improved road beds, sewers, sidewalks and curbs all done at a cost of approximately $7 to 8 million paid for by the county. Remember that you also pay county taxes.
Local ordinances were passed restricting truck traffic on Hamilton Boulevard and Belmont Avenue. This became an issue during the recent political campaign. The alternate route proposal of June 2006 was implemented. Everyone is familiar with the new pattern, especially if they travel the new route.
This new pattern places truck traffic in South Plainfield for a longer period and a route that is three times longer than a route from Hamilton to Belmont to Metuchen Road. Think of the additional cost to the truckers, the additional cost of fuel, additional congestion, noise and delays.
A firm cost for this alternate route and a time table to completion has not been provided to you, the taxpayer. The route when completed would continue down New Market Avenuje through the Cornell Dubilier site (the EPA is now clearing the contamination) with an outlet to Spicer to Belmont then left to Metuchen Road.
Information in a recent article in the Observer reported a tentative cost of $4.59 million. The route will require additional acquisition of land, improvements in some traffic signals and completion of the road through the Cornell Dubilier site. To date, a bond for $1.6 million was issued to purchase three buildings on the corner of Hamilton Boulevard, and these building will be demolished.
Questions regarding safety have been raised by the director of traffic engineering and safety at the Department of Transportation as well as a safety study by the Motor Truck Association.
We believe that the taxpayers of South Plainfield should be provided with full disclosure of the cost of this alternate route and the estimated time to completion.
Several years ago, we had a program known as Democracy Day which required that any expenditure by the municipality of more than $1 million would be voted on by the taxpayers, and if approved would move ahead, and if disapproved would be abandoned. Are you, the taxpayers, willing to approve the funds for this alternate route after having the county spend $7 to 8 million to improve Hamilton Boulevard? Shouldn’t you have a say on whether you want to spend the combined cost of county and local tax dollars to keep trucks off Hamilton Boulevard? We think you should. Again we ask — what was the real reason?
RICHARD V. PETRONE
secretary
South Plainfield Senior Men’s Forum
