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Message |
    
adamlevison
Citizen
Username: Adamlevison
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 5, 2003 - 10:20 pm: | 
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The state of the South Orange Train Station has deteriorated since it started to stay open 24/7. As if the construction wasn't bad enough, water leaks, paint peeling, and now Grafitti is plastered all over the station.
I have been commuting from South Orange for the better part of the past 7 years. This is the worst I have seen it. I take the train from other stations on occassion and I can not believe the difference. Stations west are clean, and bright. Recently the station is left dark, dirty and feeling somewhat unsafe.
I understand the station is undergoing a long-term construction project, but that is no excuse for the smell of urine in the main terminal and south exit as well as the previously mention graffiti. Several times this winter early morning commuters were forced to stand because the benches on the upper level waiting area were being used as a beds for "overnight guests". Are we in Penn Station or Port Authority? Is this the message we are sending to businesses who are looking to invest right next door on Sloan street?
Please post your opinion. I am curious to see if others share my disgust and disappointment or if I am alone. |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 930
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 5, 2003 - 11:16 pm: |
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If one awakes before 6AM to train into town for what may well be a twelve-hour day, encounters the physical unpleasantries you've just decribed downstairs, then climbs up to the waitng room and finds homeless people sleeping on the station benches, what is one to do?
*Maybe write an angry letter to NJ Transit, copying the Times, Star-Ledger, & News-Record?
*Maybe organize a Clean-Up Day, providing volunteers with mops, brooms, paint, brushes, and coffee & pastries from Cate & Abby's?
*Maybe attend a BOT meeting to bring the problem to the attention of local government, insisting that the SOPD institutes regular late-night rousts of the slumbering unfortunates
*Or, maybe, be more patient with NJ Transit's construction schedule. More tolerant of the effects of time and weather on the old place. And also, maybe, a bit more compassionate regarding those "overnight guests". I'll bet they'd all rather be waking up before 6AM, as you do, to go to a job. Even if they had to stand on the platform to wait for the train. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 152
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 10:23 am: |
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I have been writing to NJ Transit for years. I have put their track record on public display many times. The village has repeatedly met with them and we have sent letters to numerous people at NJ Transit.
They came to a meeting a few months ago to explain and give details on their ongoing construction schedule. Basically, this is a three part project scheduled to take three years at least and the past phase has not been budgeted for yet. That is when the waterproofing is supposed to be done and the inside of the station repainted.
I strongly suggest sending an e-mail to NJ Transit and asking them to better maintain the station even during the construcion phases. The more emails and letters they get the better response the village will get.
There email address is on their website and there is a link to the website on the village website ( www.southorange.org ). |
mck
Citizen
Username: Mck
Post Number: 392
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 10:30 am: |
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IN addition to NJ Transit, the merchants themselves have a lot to answer for. I have stopped patronizing C & A's because of the filth in front of their doorways. Why couldn't they sweep up the cigarette butts? How about the disgusting bird mess? The dead plants, the litter? I commute regularly from SO now, but am looking forward to the day when I can leave from MW, being a MW resident, because the environment around the SO station has become so unpleasant. Mr. Rosner, I often see you at the station. What do you think? |
dgm
Citizen
Username: Dgm
Post Number: 81
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 10:37 am: |
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Write John McKeon, our legislator. |
adamlevison
Citizen
Username: Adamlevison
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 12:11 pm: |
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Thank you for your feedback so far.
Who is responsible for maintaining the Train Station? South Orange or NJ Transit. Either way, South Orange should take a large interest in the appearance, upkeep, and maintenence because it is our virtual "front-door" into the town.
The popularity of the West Orange Jitney with the growing use of the train, could bring in potential revenue to the local stores. People will not stay in South Orange to shop if they have to deal with all of the problems listed in my first post.
Revenue generation is at stake. The Main Street program thrives on the station and Sloan Street area to be successful. People won't stay in South Orange if it is viewed as unsafe, dirty, etc... No people, no business investment to open stores, restaurants and shops. Vacencies will continue and the process snowballs.
Again, the deterioration of the station is not a result of the present construction project. There is no excuse for graffiti and the smell of urine in and the surrounding area of the station. The peeling paint, water leaks and piles of bird droppings is a result of poor maintenance and care.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 154
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 1:48 pm: |
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NJ Transit is responsible for maintaining the train station. The village has someone sweeping in front and picking up litter seven days a week. The storeowners are responsible for there own areas in front of their stores.
As for the lack of plantings in front of the station, there were some flowers planted last year and mostly we have relied on volunteers.
We are currently considering either having village employees maintain the plantings in the downtown area or using an outside service (we have to do a cost comparison).
As for the grafitti, some of it was cleaned off last week and amazingly enough there was some new paint sprayed.
Water leaks have to do with the station maintenance program and that will not be fixed until "phase 3" according to NJ Transit.
And next week, we will be hearing from the task force on the creation of a downtown management association to deal with all the above problems. |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 935
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 2:28 pm: |
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Ah, watchdogs. I'm sure they'll do a much better job of sweeping, weeding, and cleaning than the beknighted crew of self-interested layabouts currently afflicting South Orange's long-suffering citizenry. Dontcha think, Mr. Rosner??? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 156
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 2:41 pm: |
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I think there are some landlords and storeowners that need to step up and start acting like they care about the village and stop thinking that government needs to do everything. |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 191
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 4:54 pm: |
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I agree...government is not always the answer, especially with today's tight budgets.
To the plants.... The Maplewood Garden Club includes SO residents, so perhaps they could be enticed to maintain designated downtown areas?
To the graffiti.... If it's a problem, perhaps a "stake out" (if that term is still used) is in order. I suspect those activities happen late at night, so I'd hope that an SOPD officer could park someplace inconspicuous and catch the perpertators in the act.
To the trash.... Once upon a time I worked for McDonald's (not around here). At that time they had a corporate policy of picking up trash within a block of each restaurant, the idea being that a better neighborhood would lead to a more profitable business. I do this in my own neighborhood, picking up trash that doesn't belong to me. (Does anyone else?) Additionally, perhaps an organization such as the South Orange Alliance for Redevelopment (SOAR) could rally citizens to spend a morning picking up debris downtown and in public areas. They could count on me to help. |
pan
Citizen
Username: Pan
Post Number: 45
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 5:44 pm: |
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Wow, thegoodsgt, why aren't there more civic minded people like you? Not only you have some good words of wisdom, but you also have that community spirit needed to pick-up trash around where you live, whether it's yours or not; plus you offer your assistance to do something about the problem instead of just complaining. Now that's what I call a good citizen! Thank you for the lesson.
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mck
Citizen
Username: Mck
Post Number: 393
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 6:32 pm: |
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Whoa, I really disagree. 1) According to Mr. R, the town is supposed to sweep the litter every day. That's obviously not being done, so someone is being paid for doing nothing. 2) again according to Mr. R, the merchants are supposed to keep the front of their establishments clean. Again, they're obviously flouting the municipal code. So, before you create a new bureaucracy or organize the poor citizens, all 12 of them, who care about this, the town has to enforce its codes and oversee its workers. Making NJ Transit behave is hard, but this is simple - isn't it, Mr. Rosner? I look forward to being able to walk in to Cait & Abby's again without needing a tetanus shot, and strolling through the little plaza without kicking away piles of cigarette butts. |
kathy
Citizen
Username: Kathy
Post Number: 498
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 9:46 pm: |
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It used to be that the station was closed at night, and those arriving on late trains had to use the outside stairs at the two ends of the platform. But since both of those staircases are under construction, the station has to be left open, and apparently they are leaving it open all night. In which case, probably some police patrol is in order. |
adamlevison
Citizen
Username: Adamlevison
Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 6, 2003 - 10:10 pm: |
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Thanks for bringing up the trash. The fancy green recycle bins installed a while back are a joke.
The recycle bins are supposed to have 3 bags to separate the paper, plastic/glass, and regular trash. For almost a year there is only one trash bag, therefore defeating the purpose of the recycle bins.
It's a great concept, but not followed through. Every evening I see the trash piled up in the cans by the station. 1 Bag no separation.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 157
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 7, 2003 - 9:21 am: |
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I see the person every morning picking up garbage and sweemping near the station so I know it gets done. The village started doing this several months ago because the littering problem has gotten worse.
The storeowners are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their stores. Some take their responsiblitly more seriously than others. Many have been warned and fined. Some think it is cheaper to pay the fine than hire an employee.
We gave up on seperate garbage bags well more than a year ago since people did not pay attention to the seperate slots.
And after 9/11, NJ Transit removed the garbage pails from the station (security reasons) and that has caused the village bins to fill quicker. |
mck
Citizen
Username: Mck
Post Number: 395
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 7, 2003 - 9:41 am: |
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Mr. Rosner, thank you for being concerned and up-to-date on this serious problem. PLease stay on it! And thanks for being on-line and responsive to citizens (even when they don't live in SO). |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 433
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 1:39 pm: |
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This problem, like so many others, can be acted on at several levels. My biggest problem is with the real source of the mess: the overtly inconsiderate a%%#@!*s who litter in the first place. And that includes smokers who drop cigarette butts!! Those butts are GARBAGE just like chip bags and coffee cups and all the other stuff that people drop. I think it would be helpful and quite appropriate to issue some fines to people who litter for a while. Perhaps, if they don't have the basic decency and consideration to chuck their trash properly, they can be convinced to do so in this way. It may not turn litterbugs into tree-huggers, but it might result in a cleaner train station area.
Of course, maybe people are more inclined to be careless when they look around and see all the vacant storefronts...? |
NancyJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 742
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 3:12 pm: |
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"look around and see all the vacant storefronts...?"
I believe the only empty storefront on Sloan Street belongs to the Creamery and there is a sign staying that a new Creamery is coming soon.( Soon being the operative word. I KNOW the supermarket on South Orange Ave also has signs that say Coming Soon but that is NOT on Sloan Street.)
NCJ aka LL
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 161
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 3:34 pm: |
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I opened the discussion about fining the litterbugs (and I included the cigarette smokers who just drop their butts on the ground) with the committee that deals with code enforcement, the Public Safety committee and with the whole board. There was not a concensus to fine litterbugs, but to give warnings. I said we should give it to the spring and then start ticketing the people.
I find it hard to understand why people cannot use a garbage can or one of the receptacles for cigarette butts.
As for the empty storefronts, there are very few empty stores that are "rentable" in all of S. Orange.
The ice cream store is indeed rented out to a chain store. The supermarket site is before the planning board and the next hearing is March 3rd.
There is a cafe going where Village Kids is (lease was signed and they are opening on or about May 1st). There is a fish market opening across from the Rite-Aid (I don't have a scheduled opening date, but they are paying rent already). There is a sporting goods store opening on Irvington Ave. (lease has been signed and expected to open in the next two months).
Considering the economy and the large number of empty stores in the surrounding towns, I think that it is a very good sign that there are so few stores available.
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notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 439
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 4:12 pm: |
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Thanks, Mark. I agree that warnings followed by tickets for people who continue to litter is a reasonable course of action. By "vacant storefronts" I meant the Creamery and the "Gourmet Market" and the forthcoming fish shop, which are not all on Sloan Street but are readily visible to most people at the train station. (And I suppose I wrapped a little frustration at the status of SOPAC into that, too.) Anyway, I will be quite glad to hear of action taken by the town to reduce littering at the station, and I appreciate your response. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 162
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 5:36 pm: |
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I don't know when the creamery expects to open, but I would hope it would be by (when, if) the warm weather comes.
Of course, I know that as soon as one person gets a littering ticket, I will hear all kinds of complaints at a meeting about how we are chasing away all the customers from the downtown and why don't we just hire more people to clean the sidewalks.
Hope everyone is enjoying the snow. I did venture downtown and most of the storeowners did shovel in fron of their walkway. The bigger problems is the curbs and corners and hopefully they will all be done by tomorrow morning.
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lseltzer
Citizen
Username: Lseltzer
Post Number: 1343
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 7:14 pm: |
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Not that I want to defend smoking, but are there ash trays for smokers who would want to dispose of cigarettes properly? Surely you don't recommend that they throw them in the trash. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 163
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 9:38 pm: |
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I mentioned in the post (161 for me) that there are receptacles for cigarette butts, although I am sure we could use more of them. |
adamlevison
Citizen
Username: Adamlevison
Post Number: 4
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 9:10 am: |
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Vacant storefronts??? At the end of Sloan Street I see a big vacant eyesoar. It used to be called Shoprite. How many years = coming soon????
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sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 665
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 9:17 am: |
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While it is definitely important to have appropriate receptacles for cigarettes as well as other types of litter, the absence of such receptacles does not justify throwing the trash on the ground. Whether it is a cigarette butt or some other type of trash, it should be carried along until the appropriate receptacle can be found. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 164
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 11:20 am: |
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The developer for the shop-rite site has been before the planning board three times and has to go back with modifications on March 3rd.
There is a process which needs to be followed and unfortunately that takes some time.
There were some delays in the beginning, not to mention 9/11 which definitley slowed the process. Hopefully they are on track and when (if) they get approval, then they can get their permits and start construction and renovations to the site. |
Erwin Mevorah
Citizen
Username: Mesh
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 9:44 pm: |
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What fish market is this? Are you referring to the Japanese restaurant or is there going to be a fish market as well? If so at which location, none of the stores there seem to be going out of business. |
nwyave
Citizen
Username: Mesh
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 9:55 pm: |
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Anything coming in the empty store located a few stores west of Rite Aid - its been empty for awhile and its a pretty big store. In fact there is a small book\card store next to it - would sure be nice if they combined to make a homey town book store. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 166
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 9:43 am: |
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It will be located at 132 South Orange Avenue.
Currently it is the A&W Convenience Store. I think it will be called South Orange Fish Market.
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newtoallthis
Citizen
Username: Newtoallthis
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 10:23 am: |
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I noticed a police officer at the South Orange train station this a.m., along with new graffiti. Are there plans to post an officer in the station later in the evening to boost security for those of us who may want to take the later trains, especially on Fri and Sat nights? I don't know that there's much of a security threat with the 9am commuters...It would also help if the phone inside the station worked. Right now it appears only one of the outside payphones is working. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 171
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 2:58 pm: |
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The police make periodic checks at the station during the day and evening. I will check to see if we increase the number of times the station is checked on Friday and Saturday nights.
The village will check with NJ Transit to make sure they request that the phones in and outside the station are repaired.
I also suggest that if anyone has a problem with NJ Transit they should email a complaint to them (website is njtransit.org) and please cc the village (email link on the village website - www.southorange.org ).
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newtoallthis
Citizen
Username: Newtoallthis
Post Number: 7
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 5:57 pm: |
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Thanks so much for the prompt response. |
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