Residents Raise Mailbox Costs, Fireworks, Bike-Lane Safety and Open Space Concerns
Nicholas Mistretta
Public comment at the July 16 Montgomery Township Committee meeting also included praise for the township’s permitting process
MONTGOMERY, NJ — Residents brought a wide range of concerns before the Montgomery Township Committee on July 16, including the cost of repairing a mailbox damaged by township equipment, the impact of fireworks, obstructions in bicycle lanes and potential future uses for state-owned land near Brookview Farm.
The public comment period also included positive feedback from a local business representative regarding the township’s permitting and construction departments.
Resident Questions Township’s Mailbox Reimbursement Policy
Cherry Valley resident John Kelsey asked the Township Committee to review its policy limiting reimbursement for mailboxes damaged by township equipment to $100.
Kelsey said a township snowplow damaged his mailbox. Although the mailbox remains functional and mail delivery has continued, he said Cherry Valley’s homeowners association requires neighborhood mailboxes to be identical and positioned facing the street.
Unless the mailbox is repaired, Kelsey said he could face a $100 monthly fine from the association.
According to Kelsey, the matching replacement mailbox costs approximately $285, before the cost of replacing the damaged post and completing the installation. He said he received a repair estimate of $540.75 and could ultimately be responsible for between $500 and $1,000 in costs resulting from the damage.
Kelsey told the committee he was not seeking special treatment but questioned whether the reimbursement policy produces a fair result in developments where homeowners are required to purchase a specific mailbox and do not have the option of choosing a less expensive replacement.
“Today, it’s our mailbox,” Kelsey said. “Tomorrow, it could be another homeowner in Cherry Valley or any other neighborhood that might have similar requirements.”
Township officials said the matter would be taken under consideration and that someone would follow up with him.
Resident Calls for Quieter Independence Day Celebration
Elizabeth Garvey of Sunset Road congratulated the township on its Independence Day celebration but asked officials to consider eliminating the loud explosive booms associated with the annual fireworks display.
Garvey said she had previously contacted several committee members about the issue and expressed her belief that the community would support a celebration with reduced noise.
The Township Committee did not discuss or take action on the request during the public comment period.
Cyclist Seeks Stronger Protection for Bike Lanes
Resident Justin Mayer voiced opposition to eliminating the traditional fireworks sounds before turning to his primary concern: bicycle safety.
Mayer, who described himself as an avid cyclist, said bicycle lanes throughout the township are frequently obstructed by trash and recycling containers, as well as delivery vehicles operated by companies such as Amazon, FedEx and UPS.
He said the obstructions force cyclists to leave designated bike lanes and suddenly enter the travel lane, where drivers may not anticipate them.
Mayer argued that the situation can make a marked bicycle lane more dangerous than riding on a road without one because motorists expect cyclists to remain within the designated lane.
He asked the township to consider regulations prohibiting obstructions in bicycle lanes and suggested notifying residents along those routes that trash containers should be placed on the curb rather than in the street.
The comments came as the township continues to add bicycle lanes and promote cycling through its wellness initiatives.
Business Representative Praises Permitting Departments
Montgomery Business Association President Cory Wingerter offered a positive account of the township’s permitting process.
Wingerter said he recently spoke with the owner of Oasis VR, a virtual-reality business preparing to open in the Princeton North Shopping Center.
According to Wingerter, the business owner described Montgomery Township as easy to work with and praised the responsiveness of the township’s permitting and construction personnel.
The comments followed a lengthy discussion earlier in the meeting about the township’s ongoing permit-efficiency study and plans to improve the online application and tracking process.
Resident Advocates for Broader Use of Brookview Property
Reed Chapman of Zion-Wertsville Road urged the Township Committee to consider allowing Montgomery High School and SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals, to use portions of state-owned land surrounding Brookview Farm.
Chapman emphasized that he was speaking as a private citizen and not on behalf of the Friends of Open Space, the Open Space Committee or the Shade Tree Committee, organizations with which he is affiliated.
He said he understands that some open space advocates favor limiting the property to uses already permitted under restrictions imposed by the state Legislature. Chapman said he believes exceptions should be considered for SAVE and the high school.
Chapman encouraged committee members to tour the Brookview and Skillman Dairy properties to better understand the land and its relationship to the surrounding institutions.
He also described the fencing surrounding SAVE as restrictive and said the animal shelter has limited room for expansion or outdoor use.
Chapman specifically suggested that land in front of the former Van Zandt mansion could potentially be used as a dog park, arguing that such a use may not conflict with the state restrictions governing the property.
He also raised concerns about pedestrian access between SAVE and Skillman Park, noting that people seeking to cross Route 601 are directed toward a crosswalk near the high school rather than being provided with a more direct crossing.
No formal action was taken on the proposal during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com