The residents of Grassy Lake Road have seen progress in their effort to make the road safer. Now an ordinance has been introduced that will go even further toward achieving that goal.
At a township council meeting on June 5, a new regulation was passed to make the section of Grassy Lake Road between Indian Mills Road and Stokes Road a no passing zone.
The township engineer had been reviewing options the council could enact quickly to appease resident concerns.
Initially, the township had posted several temporary red and white 25 mph signs on the road and placed a speed monitoring as well as a driver feedback device.
The Sun previously reported that at a township meeting on May 7, residents of Grassy Lake Road came out in full force to make a plea for safer conditions in their neighborhood. Residents had said they regularly witnessed cars driving more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. They also reported several incidents of trees and lawns being damaged by drivers losing control of their vehicles due to excessive speeding.
They claimed that walking or bike riding near their homes had become impossible.
In speaking with residents, they appreciate the steps the township has taken so far.
They praised the quick response the council had in getting the speed-monitoring device on Grassy Lake Road and for the engineer’s evaluation.
They do feel that there is still work to be done and it may only come with a strong enforcement push from the State Police.
In other news
•The council also introduced new legislation to establish and update certain fees. The Sun previously reported that additional fees the township would consider include the selling of alcohol, road-opening fees, escrow, solicitation permit fees, rabies clinic fees and animal licensing fees. Shamong currently charges $360 a year for establishments serving alcohol and $330 a year for the liquor store. The township had discussions to work on the possibility of charging businesses incrementally over a number of years until the state maximum is reached. In some cases, the existing fees have not been changed for 20–30 years.
•The township will use a grant from the Department of Transportation to complete the repaving project of Old Indian Mills Road. The council now has approval to advertise for bids.
•Second readings and public comments for both of these
ordinances will take place at the next township council meeting currently scheduled for Wednesday, July 10.
