By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
MARLBORO – The Marlboro Township Council has come to an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) for improvements to traffic control at the intersection of Route 79 and Route 520.
At their April 14 meeting, council members unanimously passed a resolution that will result in the installation of a semi-actuated traffic signal with pedestrian push buttons at the intersection by the DOT.
Councilman Michael Scalea was absent from the meeting.
In accordance with the agreement, the DOT will periodically inspect and maintain the signal.
The estimated cost of the signal is $64,100 and Marlboro is responsible for paying 25 percent of the cost, approximately $16,025. The remaining amount will be paid by the DOT.
Township officials have agreed to pay for the electric current to the signal.
“As someone who chaired the township’s Traffic Committee for some time, I am happy to see these changes are coming,” Councilman Scott Metzger said.
“This is the beginning of a process,” Mayor Jonathan Hornik said. “As our roads age, we will need more help making adjustments. It may take time, but this is the way it is supposed to work.”
In other business, the council introduced an ordinance that would, if adopted, create a 100-square-foot parking space at the municipal complex, Wyncrest Road, where residents may conduct transactions that were reached in online deals. That space will be under video surveillance by the Marlboro Police Department.
Prior to the transaction, residents will register the names of the buyer and seller with the township. Registration may be accomplished on the municipal website and it will only be valid for the date of the transaction.
The private exchange of motor vehicles, weapons or items that do not fit in a 10- by 10-foot parking space will not be permitted, according to the ordinance.
“Township officials will not provide police personnel or township staff to witness the transaction in person, but the video surveillance by and proximity to police personnel is meant to increase the public’s peace of mind when engaging in such transactions with unfamiliar individuals in the safe space,” the ordinance states.
A public hearing on the ordinance has been scheduled for the council’s May 5 meeting and the governing body may adopt the ordinance that evening.
“As online presence plays more importance in our lives and as people look online to transact business, this is an excellent way of keeping our residents safe,” Hornik said. “I think this is an insightful ordinance and it speaks to the safety of the residents.”
“Over the years, we have heard a number of horror stories and it is great that we are being proactive with this,” Metzger said.
Finally, two grants have been awarded to Marlboro for road improvements. One grant is for $220,000 for improvements to Greenwood Road. This grant was part of the introduction of an ordinance on April 14. Final adoption is expected on May 5.
The second grant is for $125,485 for improvements at the Greenbriar adult community, Robertsville Road, and was approved by the council. The total amount of work at Greenbriar is estimated at $249,647 and includes the excavation and replacement of existing roads and sidewalks.
