Freeholder Director Rios and Freeholder Tomaro confirm that Finnegans Lane issues have been referred to Middlesex County Engineering Department

This morning at the Pancreatic Cancer Walk I had the opportunity to speak with Freeholder Director Ronald Rios and with Freeholder Charles Tomaro, who is Chairman of the County's Infrastructure Management Committee.  Both acknowledged that they have received the letters and petition expressing concerns regarding Finnegans Lane.   Both indicated that they have referred the matter to the County Engineer for consideration and study.

A follow up letter will shortly be sent through official channels from the Township of North Brunswick to Freeholder Tomaro and Freeholder Director Rios.   Township engineers and Planners will be available to work with both the county and with South Brunswick to try to acquire a light at Tulip and Finnegans (if viable) and crosswalks along Finnegans.

Mac Womack
5/30/2015

Resident Calls for Legal Cross Walk to Reduce Speed on Finnegans and Provide Pedestrian Safety

We need a legal cross walk,which can automatically reduce speed on 

Finnigans lane,also provide safety for pedestrians.

I really appreciate preliminary steps being taken,it's a good start

Syed Ahmed

Sent from my iPhone

Resident Calls Township to Note Placement of Speed Signs on Finnegans Lane

Director of Community Development Michael Hritz reports that he received a call this morning to thank the police for their rapid response to traffic concerns following Thursday’s meeting.  The resident was appreciative of everything she has seen so far but did mention that whatever sign is on Tulip seems to have stopped working.

Excerpt of May 22, 2015 Email from Police Director McCormick to Command Staff Following Meeting with Residents

Please initiate a proactive police plan to help alleviate resident concerns while the township works on more permanent traffic calming measures.

* Place the areas of Tulip, Thomas, Aspen and Sassafrass on the Directed Patrol lists to increase police presence.
* Speeding and cut through traffic as well as parking issues should be enforced if warranted in these areas.
* My understanding is we do not have Title 39 on Aspen so determine what other actions can be taken, if any. There was discussion of re-painting Fire lanes and enforcement if a resident calls.
* Use sign boards to conduct speed surveys in the areas above to ascertain if speeding or volume is the issue.
* Use sign boards as public education tools in the area of Tulip, Thomas, Aspen, and Finnegan's. Displays could include "Slow down in our town" or " Watch for Pedestrians" on Finnegan's Lane.
* Consider pole mounted signage in the entire area now and with future grant funding. One local businessman offered to donate a pole mounted sign on Finnegan's Lane to expedite the process. I will provide his contact information.
* Engage residents in "Slow down in our town" campaign and provide signage for same.
* increase traffic enforcement in the area of Finnegan's during peak hours for routine violations as experienced at any high volume area. Times sited are 7-9 and 5-7.

Letter From Resident Proposing Marked and Sponsored Pedestrian Crossing Points

Resident Contact's Mayor's Office Regarding Trucks Using Jughandle at Route 1 South & Finnegans

The following emailswas sent from the Mayor's Assitant, Janice Larkin, to Police Director Ken McCormick on May 28, 2015

I got a call from a resident of the Finnegan's Lane area who was unable to attend the meeting last week.  Her opinion that she wanted to voice was not necessarily about Finnegan's Lane but she asked that I relay the message to you anyway.

This resident feels that large trucks should not be permitted to use the jug handle at Route 1 South and Finnegan's Lane.  She said that this particular jug handle is too small for trucks and because of this the trucks end up blocking traffic in all directions.  This resident stated that a mile south on Route 1 there is a larger jug handle that is more suited for trucks to turn on.  This caller also mentioned that the traffic light at Route 1 and Finnegans does not stay green long enough for people to turn onto Route 1.

I explained to the caller that Route 1, that jug handle, and the traffic light she is referring to do belong to the state which falls under the jurisdiction of NJDOT, but I told her I would pass along her concerns for consideration.

Police Director McCormick to Refer Finnegan's School Bus Pick-Up Stop to Traffic Safety Division for Review

At the request of Council Bob Davis, Police Director Ken McCormick has referred the Finnegans Lane School Bus stop to the Traffic Safety Division for review.

Update Regarding Finnegan's Lane School Bus Stop

On May 27. 2015 a North Brunswick Township police officer spoke with a representative of the North Brunswick School Transportation office.  That representative verified that the bus picks up students for Colony Oaks and stops on Finnegan's Lane rather than inside the apartment complex.  He further stated that due to the size of the bus and the narrow driveways in the complex that it would be difficult for the bus driver to navigate .  He was advised by the officer of resident's concerns as expressed during the recent community meeting and was asked to double check with the driver to see if any changes could be made.

Response from Director Hritz to Request to Make Thomas Avenue a Thoroughfare

The following email response was sent by Director of Community Development Michael Hritz on May 22, 2015

Mr.  Patel,

As expressed at last night’s community meeting, the township does not support the connection of Thomas Avenue  or Linder Avenue.  To the contrary, the township has been purchasing several lots in this area through our Open Space fund with an interest in preserving as much of this land as possible.   We seek to expand the Luke Park passive recreation area and not encourage additional development.

The opening of those roads would only serve to push highway traffic deeper into local neighborhoods, presumably by out-of-town travelers only seeking quicker connections to Route 27 and  Route 1.

As discussed last night, the township will be working with Middlesex County to explore traffic safety issues along both Finnegans Lane and the Tulip Drive area.  This process will include a study to determine if speed humps are warranted on Tulip Drive.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.  Please be sure to check the township website next week for a new link to a public information page on these topics.
------------------------------------

Michael C. Hritz, Director
Department of Community Development
710 Hermann Road
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Phone:  732-247-0922 x440
Fax:  732-289-3822

Follow-Up Request from Resident for Thomas Avenue Thoroughfare and Tulip Lane Speed Bump

THE FOLLOWING EMAIL WAS RECEIVED ON MAY 22, 2015

Re : Connecting Thomas Av  ( Rt.27 ) & Thomas Av ( Rt. 1) by T section at Linder av  (Aaron Rd.).

Respected Sir,

Once again we are requesitng  to Connect Thomas Av ( Rt. 27 ) to Thomas Av ( Rt. 1) road with T section at Linder Av ( Aaron Rd ).

And from back side all Finnegan current and new developments   can connect  to Rt. 1 by Thomas av & Linder Av ( Aaron Rd).

Possible Benefits :

·        Chances of new single-family homes on couple of residential zone land and office spaces land .

·        Some  land near Luke Park can  also use for  new development.

·        New development will increase tax revenue to the town.

·        It will reduces  some traffic load  and tough left turn on Finnegan lane.

·        More convenient for all area residents to go to Rt.1 through back side by connecting all  development & 

      stores through Thomas av & Linder av. 

·        All  resident and store people will satisfy by avoiding left turns on Finnegan.

Once again One more request : Due to new malls on Finnegan lanes  some cars are going faster than the speed limit on Tulip dr road.   So we are requesting to put at least two new soft speed bumps on the Tulip dr  same like Thomas av.

Same thing also we requested to community developer.

THANKS.

Harshad.

A NOTE TO RESIDENTS FROM MAYOR WOMACK

Message from Mayor Womack  

 Thank you to all of the residents, Council Members and Township staff who attended our special meeting at Temple B’nai Tikvah on Thursday night to address issues of concern to residents who live on or near Finnegan’s Lane.  Several concerns were heard, and we are establishing this web-page as a resource for residents and staff to follow progress on the issues.    

 The primary concerns voiced by residents involved Finnegans Lane. Specifically mentioned were: traffic volume, traffic speed, and pedestrian safety.  Many residents expressed a desire for a traffic control light to be placed at the intersection of Finnegan’s Lane and Tulip Drive.  There were also many calls for cross-walks or other safety measures allow commuter bus passengers and other pedestrians to cross Finnegan’s Lane safely.   The speed of traffic and the need for traffic enforcements was noted by several residents.   In addition to Finnegans Lane, issues were raised regarding traffic using back streets during rush hours, and the need for speed bumps and traffic speed enforcement on those streets. There were also concerns expressed regarding recent car burglaries and possible drug activity in the neighborhood.   Several residents brought to our attention a North Brunswick school bus stop which seems to be hazardous.   Some residents believe the bus is not stopping where the Board of Education regulations require.      

Here are the things that the Township’s will be doing as initial follow-up from the meeting.  

The Mayor and Council will be reaching out to our colleagues on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the South Brunswick Township Council to:       

• advise or our residents’ concerns and advocate for studies and actions that can lead to the installation of a light at  Tulip and Finnegan’s; 
• advise or our residents’ concerns and advocate for studies and actions that can lead to the installation designated pedestrian crossings; 
• advise or our residents’ concerns and advocate for a joint request to the New Jersey Department of Transportation for a reduced speed limit on Finnegan’s Lane.   

Police Director Kenneth McCormick or his designee will:   

• initiate additional patrols and traffic enforcement in the area, as appropriate, 
• will direct that strong consideration be given to placement of a “speed sign” on Finnegans Lane;         
• will follow up with residents who have information regarding drug activity or burglaries. *      

RESIDENTS WHO HAVE NOT SIGNED UP FOR NIXEL ARE STRONGLY URGED TO DO SO.  INFORMATION REGARDING NIXEL IS AVAILABLE HERE ON THE TOWNSHIP’S WEBSITE.

Questions regarding progress and developments on Finnegan’s Lane can be directed to:   -              Michael Hritz, Director of Community Development; -              

Robert Lombard Business Administrator; -              

Janice Larkin, Assistant to Mayor Womack; -              

Mayor Womack or any Member of the Council (all of our phone numbers are available here on the website or you can send us an email)  

Thank you again, and keep checking this blog for updates!