20221020 - CSAC Minutes

CSAC Meeting-- October 20, 2022--MINUTES

ATTENDEES:

CSAC Members/ Liaisons:  Anastasia Bamberg, Charles S. Di Marco, Mary Micale, John Prieto, Henry Ratcliffe, Jane Remis, Councilmember Lorraine Reynolds, Christopher J. Rutishauser, PE, Barbara Sacks

Others: Sheila Brogan, Robert Fitch, Rurik Hallaby, Chris Wolfstirn, Ellen Wolfstirn

OL:D BUSINESS:

1)  Franklin Avenue Corridor-- No change in status of Corridor project. Bergen County is planning to repave between North Maple Avenue and North Broad Street in mid-November. ADA-compliant ramps under construction. No plans to implement other measures ( i.e., bump-outs, signals, shortened crosswalks, etc.) prior to Corridor project. Other County streets scheduled for repaving in 2023 include: Goffle Road, Godwin Avenue, and Linwood Avenue. The Village has received bids to repave Prospect Street in 2022 (weather permitting). North Monroe Street is planned for repaving in 2023.

2)  Pedestrian/ Bike SRTS Grants-- NJDOT has approved $148,000 to NV5. Construction expected in 2023.

3)  CBDAC--Ms. Bamberg reported discussions on the Master Plan.  A CBD Improvement District is being considered to encourage an environment to attract new business. The City of Summit was cited as an example being reviewed. The increase in pedestrian traffic resulting from CBD-area residences and the impact on the East Ridgewood Avenue/ Broad Street intersection was discussed.

4)  West Glen Avenue Sidewalks-- The Engineering Division is advancing the Concept Study which also includes the section of East Glen Avenue between North Maple Avenue and the railroad overpass. Estimates of design requirements (retaining walls, drainage, curbs, grading changes, etc.) and associated costs are being prepared for future capital budget consideration.

5)  Smart Streets NJ-- Safety banners remain in place. Holiday decorations are coming soon and banners will be removed and stored. No decisions regarding lowering support brackets due to required clearances above sidewalks and streets.

6)  Parking Guide/ Map for BOE/Rec Fields-- Ms. Micale and Ms. Brogan described the continuing efforts with the BOE and the Rec Department to provide direction to coaches, visiting teams, parents and neighbors. These efforts have yielded positive results which make the parking map proposal redundant. The matter will be removed from the agenda.

7)  Morningside Road/ Hamilton Road-- The Engineering Division's evaluation has concluded there are insufficient warrants for any changes in traffic control measures. The item is to be removed from the agenda.

8)  Cross-Hatching- Ackerman Avenue/ Doremus Avenue-- The Traffic Bureau and Engineering note no problems with the existing measures and are not supportive of changes at this time. 

9)  Warren Place/ Vet's Field Parking Enforcement--The continuing efforts by the Police and the efforts described in ITEM# 6 above have largely resolved the issue. Recurring issues will be addressed as needed.

10) Sight Triangle/ Obstructions-- Mr. Fitch cited numerous examples of sight obstructions. He will furnish Engineering with lists to be reviewed by the Village. The current procedure involves notifying the property owner of the obstruction, providing a sketch of the Village's setback requirements and requesting voluntary remediation prior to actions by the municipality.  Mr. Prieto will also submit locations to be reviewed. Since some residents may not be aware of the sight triangle provisions, it was suggested to feature the sight triangle and clearance requirements in the Village's e-News.  

11) Union Street-- Mr. Rutishauser will check the schedule of the thermoplastic markings contractor.

12) Octoberfest-- Some concern was expressed about jay-walking between the RR Station parking lot and West Ridgewood Avenue attractions. Mr. Rutishauser will ask for Traffic Bureau input on the desirability of added crossing control at future events. 

NEW BUSINESS:      

1)  Mr. Hallaby discussed his suggestion to convert the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue/ Broad Street to a Four-Way STOP. Mr. Rutishauser said his review of the vehicle traffic, geometric factors, pedestrian volumes and crash experience warrants for a Four-Way STOP as detailed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) were not satisfied.  Reference was made to the CSAC's earlier examination of this question and the review of the MUTCD warrants and factual data provided by the Police and Engineering as presented at its April  21, 2022 meeting. The conclusion reached at that time, and again supported in the current discussion, found no practical safety measures to recommend with possible benefits exceeding possible detriments.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 7:30 PM in the Garden Room at Village Hall.