20231211 - CSAC Minutes

CSAC MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Members in Attendance: Barbara Sacks, John Prieto, Anastasia Bamberg, Henry Ratcliffe, Shayan Farooqi, Jane Remis, Lorraine Reynolds (Village Council), Sheila Brogan (BOE), John Ward (RPD), Chris Piersa (engineering)

Visitors: Julia Bruno, Julia Bender, Suzy Motaharian, Sara Wilson, Matt Plumer, Ayanna Sprawka

A. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - NONE

 B. OLD BUSINESS

1.      Update on Clinton Rd/Ridge School regarding safety concerns for students (Reynolds, RPD): RPD recommends following Engineering Department’s past and present recommendations along with the past recommendations of the RPD traffic bureau:  Sidewalks should be installed on at least one side of Clinton Avenue. Engineering recommends the construction of sidewalks along Clinton Avenue either along one or both sides of the street as was previously recommended as part of its 2014 Capital Paving Program, and also as recommended by former Village Engineer, M.J. Seeley, P.E. back in March 1964.

The following information regarding Clinton was reported:

a.      Ridgewood police received complaints on 11/16 of leaves in the roadway and a crossing guard late for duty. Complaints were addressed the same day (leaves removed by DPW and crossing guard supervisor was notified).

b.      New “no turn” signs were installed, new “road closed” signs were placed higher up on barricades and parking enforcement officers will close the road at 2:30 PM if available (not guaranteed).

c.       MVA data: 6 accidents in the last 15 years on Clinton, none involving pedestrians and none with injuries.

d.      Alternative routes to school were evaluated and the safest alternative was found to be a .85 mile, 26 minute walk (South Monroe) compared with a .23 mile, 7 minute walk from the corner of Godwin/Clinton to Ridge School mid block crosswalk.

e.      A previous study by RPD (conducted by Sgt. Pullman in 2008) determined that Clinton was the safest route from Godwin Ave./southern streets to Ridge School.

f.        An additional study by RPD (conducted in 2016 by Sgt. Chuck) determined that opening the road and installing sidewalks is the safest alternative. The study also reinforced that the RPD traffic bureau never condoned the soft closure of the roadway for pedestrian traffic.

g.       2 pedestrian counts were recently conducted. 

                                                          i.      On 11/20, from 3:00 to 3:10 PM (weather was sunny with a temperature of 45 degrees), 51 pedestrians walked southbound down Clinton. 

                                                        ii.      On 12/5, from 3:00 to 3:09 PM (overcast, 42 degrees), 52 pedestrians walked southbound.

                                                      iii.      RPD expects higher pedestrian counts in the spring. 

Several residents requested safety improvements citing that drivers park on Clinton every day to avoid waiting on the Red Zone line and that despite the road closure signs, traffic persists during school drop off and pick up hours, causing unsafe conditions for children walking to and from school.

One Clinton resident requested that any sidewalk installation or other changes be made with sensitivity to mature trees, landscaping and stone walls on the street.

2.      Update on Morningside Rd. & Hamilton Rd.:  Reflective delineators were added to the intersection to help guide traffic around the corner; (RPD, Engineering).   The delineators seemed to help with speeding but were stolen over the past weekend.  Drivers continue to ignore the Stop sign. A homeowner at the intersection has not yet complied with a letter sent from engineering asking them to cut down plantings that obstruct sight lines. A resident asked for a permanent solution, such as curbs being built out to prevent cars from speeding through the wide intersection or a digital speed sign being installed.  A traffic study will be conducted in the spring and engineering may consider changes after viewing the results.  This item will be removed from the agenda until the spring of 2024.

    3. Update: A stop sign has been installed at the Franklin Ave extension at No. Irving. Item will be removed from agenda.

    4. Follow-up - Sight Triangle Locations, notices/second notices/priority locations/pillars at Overbrook and No. Van Dien (Engineering): Engineering reports that 7 letters have been sent out in the last month for a total of 80 letters. 24 homeowners have complied thus far. 

    5. Follow-up on Lighting in CBD, remediation including lights at Broad and Franklin (RPD, Engineering): PSE & G has been working on replacing light fixture outages.  On 9/13, 22 streetlamps were out.  On 12/8, 14 lamps were out, most of which were new outages.

    6. Follow-up on Bellair Rd lines, feedback from resident surveys (Engineering): the village received some pushback from residents regarding yellow line painting on the road. Faded signs were replaced. RPD conducted targeted enforcement on Bellair Road, making 35 traffic stops, but impacting around 1400 drivers who passed by the police stops, since research shows that drivers slow down an average of 7 MPH after viewing a police car.  RPD and Engineering recommend installation of double yellow lines and fog lines.  Item will be removed from agenda pending future engineering decision.

    7. Follow-up on W. Glen sidewalks, any further information on construction for retaining wall (Reynolds, VM, Engineering): Engineering is investigating various materials to be used for retaining walls and discussions are being held regarding whether to place the walls in the right of way or on private property.

    8. Follow-up on Status of pedestrian safety plan parameters/development (VM): item will be removed from agenda pending future discussion between the VM and Mr. Halaby.

    9. Follow-up on status of relocating stop line at Garber Square and W. Ridgewood Ave (Engineering): Engineering is considering pulling the stop bar back (by at least 5 feet) in the left lane. Engineering is reviewing applicable NJDOT and MUTCD regulations prior to making a determination.

   10. Follow-up on Franklin Ave Corridor: no updates

   11. CBDAC: no updates

  C. NEW BUSINESS

1.       Request for installation of pedestrian crossing signals for Maple Ave at Linwood, Franklin Ave or others/coordination with county (Engineering)

2.      CSAC Committee members expressed their appreciation of the police and engineeringand their responsiveness as we work to address pedestrian and traffic safety. Their help has been invaluable in moving projects ahead.

NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024