Police
Warn Speeders That More Tickets Will Be Written
by Beth S. Biermann
WOOLWICH – In response to numerous reports of suspected
speeding on three different township roadways, Police Chief Russell Marino
submitted results of recent traffic studies to the Woolwich Township
Committee at their regular meeting on Feb. 19. Although speeding was
reported on only one of the three monitored streets, police warn that more
speeding tickets will be issued.
The police department monitored motorists on Oldmans
Creek Road between Woodstown Road and Russell Mill Road, on Gentry Drive,
and on Fredrick Boulevard near High Hill Road.
Marino stated that the department used a device
borrowed from the prosecutor’s office that counts cars as well as records
speeds. This provided, in his opinion, a fair and accurate result.
The use of this device makes it unnecessary to park a
police vehicle or place a radar device near the road in view of drivers,
therefore resulting in a more accurate depiction of motorist’s real habits.
Over periods of several days each, the three roadways
were monitored for speeding vehicles. On Oldmans Creek Road, the average
speed recorded for over 4,100 cars was 41.83 mph, well below the speed limit
of 50 mph.
On Gentry Drive, with a speed limit of 25 mph, 889
vehicles were tracked with an average speed of 24.66 mph.
Fredrick Boulevard posed the only speeding problem.
Over 6,000 cars were observed and they posted an average speed of 30.75 mph,
nearly 6 mph over the speed limit of 25.
The police department recommended the placement of
patrol cars on Fredrick Boulevard during the times of the highest recorded
speeds. Officers will be instructed to issue tickets for any vehicles caught
speeding four or five miles per hour over the speed limit or more.
In other township business, Township Administrator Jane
DiBella brought a concern to the committee from Casworth Inc., the
township’s trash hauler. Casworth reported that many residents are using
oversized trash receptacles for solid waste that exceed the weight limit
specified in the contract between Casworth and Woolwich Township.
The oversized trash cans used by some residents (these
do not include the recycling receptacles used in the RecycleBank program)
pose a liability for Casworth and a risk to their employees. The excess
weight is not safe for the workers to lift and toss the trash into the
truck.
Casworth reported that approximately 230 oversized
receptacles are being used by township residents. The company wanted to post
notices on them stating that they will not be collecting trash from these
large cans after a certain date.
Mayor Joe Chila stated that any communication with the
residents should come directly from the township instead of from Casworth.
The committee will have to adopt an ordinance to prohibit the use of
oversized solid waste receptacles. Following the ordinance adoption, a
letter will be sent to all residents notifying them of the size limit and
letting them know when Casworth will stop collecting trash from these large
trash cans.
DiBella also announced that the South Jersey Land and
Water Trust (SJLWT) will be conducting a storm drain labeling project in
Woolwich on April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A rain date has been scheduled
for April 13. The SJLWT will be meeting with Girl Scout and Boy Scout
troops, as well as conducting school assemblies to announce the project and
recruit volunteers.
According to the organization’s website,
storm drain openings will be marked with
messages asking residents not to dump pollutants down the drains and
reminding them where runoff water and the pollution carried with it from
lawns and streets ends up.
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