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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 484
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2003 - 12:17 pm: | 
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The meeting is at village hall on the second floor.
(Thanks to AJC)
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ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 87
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2003 - 9:20 am: |
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Much as I love having the Farmer's Market back, who in the world thought it was a good idea to add that to the already unsafe and overcrowded parking lot. Now the shuttles and taxis can't wait in the circle pick-up area, so they've moved to the exit lanes. The construction setup seems to be taking more space every day--it's completely blocked the exit from the first parking aisle. And the vendors are parking their cars (permitless) in the lot as well--not even bothering to put them in a space, just parking at the top of the aisles. (WHERE is traffic enforcement?)
I'm paying A LOT of money to park in this lot--this just isn't fair. I'm tired of the runaround too--NJT says it's the town's problem; the town says talk to NJT. I write my check to the South Orange Parking Authority. I believe the town should address these issues. Plans for an additional exit are fine, but that's going to take a long time, and the station construction is going to be there for a long time as well. Why can't the construction equipment and their parked cars be moved to the empty "performing arts center" area? Or put the Farmers Market over there. We need MORE space, not less.
Unfortunately, I can't attend that public safety meeting. Please, someone who can--bring this up!
There. Done. Sorry to vent, but this is a ridiculous situation. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 1573
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2003 - 11:54 am: |
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It's beginning to look more and more like the powers that be are trying to put 10lbs in a 5lb bag... How many people, and much activity are we putting in this little corner of our world?
"Plans for an additional exit are fine, but that's going to take a long time..."
Sorry, I have to disagree. It's only going to take a long time if everyone keeps saying it's going to take a long time... All that has to happen is to declare this exit problem an emergency situation.
Example: What would happen if the street caved in in front of the exit onto South Orange Avenue. A police officer would immediately have all the traffic detoured in and out of the Church Street entrance. The same or similar arrangement would be made if an accident, or say a fire, or the traffic lights stopped working, or what ever required a policeman to direct the traffic leaving the parking lot.
Therefore, if there is a conscience of opinion that the circumstances at the exit constitute emergency conditions at certain times of the day, then act accordingly.
From what I'm reading this situation is dangerous, and has caused emergency conditions during certain times of the day. Correcting and dealing with these conditions does not require a meeting of the parking authority, the public safety committee, the State of NJ, NJ Transit, the Village Trustee's, or anyone other than a rookie police officer to recognize that an emergency situation exists.
BTW, the caveat I would promote here is that whom ever (the town, NJT, or committee) reaches the bottom line conclusion that no emergency conditions exist, I feel should be made to understand that they could, and rightly should be held personally responsible if someone is hurt or killed as a result of the alleged dangerous conditions being brought to their attention.
BOTTOM LINE: FOR GOD SAKE GIVE THE PEOPLE A LITTLE BREAK ALREADY! |
susan1014
Citizen
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 28
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 6, 2003 - 10:51 pm: |
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Given all of the problems with this lot, I'm amazed that the police didn't have someone directing traffic at its exit after fireworks on the fourth, when every car in the lot was trying to leave at one time, while other cars blocked the box on South Orange Ave.
Police were all around, directing traffic at less troubled intersections (i.e. Vose and S. Orange Ave), watching traffic from the gas station traffic lot, etc, but no one was helping with this lot.
It took almost half an hour to get out of the lot. Still, with a toddler, this beats walking home uphill, late in the evening.
Looking forward to some improvment! (Great fourth of July though...many thanks) |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 7, 2003 - 11:27 am: |
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What a stunning lack of planning!
After all that was discussed on this board they (and I'm not sure who 'they' is) let people fend for themselves on July 4?
Just confirmed public safety meeting is 7:30 .. I really hope I'm not going to be the only one to attend.. |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 7, 2003 - 11:31 am: |
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How about this as a solution?
You know those Bunny's signs that used to drive everyone crazy? How about they be allowed to put up those huge signs again with a line added 'DON"T BLOCK THE BOX'? I can see it now... "Happy Hour Tuesdays 6-9 and DON'T BLOCK THE BOX!" (tongue firmly planted in cheek!)  |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 88
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 7, 2003 - 1:44 pm: |
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Jeff,
I can't make it tonight, but would sure appreciate you bringing these issues up to the board in person.
This has been going on for far longer than this thread... are they just waiting till an accident occurs before they do anything to make this lot safer? (LOVE the kids riding their skateboards amid the cars and construction)
Reminder to the board: people are PAYING the town a hefty fee for a permit to park here. The condition of the lot is absolutely unacceptable. We should get a rebate for the trouble and inconvenience. (I know, I know, people on the very long waiting list for a permit think we should all stop complaining) |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 159
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 7, 2003 - 8:16 pm: |
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ABout 2 weeks I saw surveyers at the back exit (entrance!) to the lot -- I checked today ('cause I wanted to post) -- they have marked the new lanes -- to make it a full exit & entrance!
YEAH!
Pete |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 20
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 8, 2003 - 10:19 pm: |
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Well, I went to the meeting last night (where was everyone else??) and today there was someone directing traffic out of the station.. traffic moved quickly and I had no problem getting out for the first time ever.. I was pretty happy...
Of course, then I got home to find out that there was an area wide power outage and that is probably why the guy was there... Oh well  |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 90
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 8:59 am: |
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Jeff, thanks for attending the meeting. Was there any helpful response from the board--were they aware of the problems, and planning to address the situation, or was this the first they had heard of it?
I was also pleased to see the dancing cop directing traffic exiting the lot last night. Sure hope he sticks around for tonight's farmer's market traffic jam. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 489
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 9:31 am: |
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The officer will be there for one hour in the evening for now.
The problem was discussed over a year ago and it was raised again in May (by me) and I had requested that the Police Director offer suggestions on how to improve the traffic flow.
We will continue to request the county to change the traffic light timing because that would certainly offer an improvement.
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Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1507
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 9:36 am: |
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We parked in the NJT lot prior to the fireworks display (space 228, back toward Church Street). It took us 29 minutes to crawl from that spot to the front entrance on South Orange Avenue. Twenty minutes in (about the time the white fence surrounding the arts center site came into full view), I started to dream of the traffic jam caused when 400 people leave a performance all at once (and hopefully after it ends). Good thing we'll have an ice cream store.
I agree, we could have walked, should have walked... the three kids in tow convinced us to drive. |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 92
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 11:01 am: |
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Mr. Rosner--thanks for the response. The real problem is indeed the badly timed lights. Even with the cop directing, there's just nowhere for those turning out of the lot to go when the light just beyond the overpass is red. Why is it taking so long to get this fixed? And what will happen when there is another power outage? all the lights will be out of synch once again. Can't the town get some control over this? It's not just the lot that's screwy, traffic all along the Avenue is affected--and that makes more traffic thruout town as people search for an alternate route to SO Ave.
Brian--welcome to the world of those who use the lot every day (okay, it's not always that bad). You raise an excellent point about a serious problem for the arts center. Maybe the planners think everyone who will attend lives within walking distance. Was the lot built with the performing arts center in mind? Maybe the construction plans include redesigning the lot, too? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 493
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 11:50 am: |
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Ril: One would think getting the county to turn over control of the traffic lights would be an easy thing. I will let you know what the county says to my request that I sent a couple of weeks ago.
The plan has always been to have an officer help direct traffic before and after performances. There is also a plan to reconfigure the church street entrance to be an exit also.
Brian: I am glad you enjoyed the fireworks show. In Milburn, they use a jitney from their library lot to go to the Paper Mill although a large number of people just walk when the weather was nice. We will consider using the jitney from the lot on third street which is also only a short walk away.
I think planners expect that it might take 15 minutes to exit the lot and that some people will walk or take a train. Remember the fireworks had people parking on almost evey side street along with the the other parking lots. Eveyone exited at the same time. The movies will have staggered starting times. At most, the building will house less than 1000 people where as there were several thousand people at the fireworks. But wasn't it nice to have the new parking lot there? That accomodated 265 cars and I can't begin to imagine where all those cars would have parked if we did not have that lot.
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Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1511
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 3:38 pm: |
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lol.. the lot has been there for four years. When does it stop being new? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 501
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 3:49 pm: |
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We keep calling it new until:
1. The lot needs to be repaved.
or
2. Another parking lot is created and thereby becomes the "new" lot.
or
3. Washashore says something positive about village hall. |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 93
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 9:45 am: |
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Mr. Rosner: any chance the officer could be there a bit later? After all, the lot is supposed to be for commuters, and very few are able to get a train out of Manhattan or Hoboken in time to exit the lot before 6pm (when the officer leaves, right?). Many people take trains that arrive in SO a bit AFTER six (including you, I believe--I sometimes see you on the 5:48 from Penn)--even having someone there till 6:30 (esp. on Farmers Market night) would really help. Thanks. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 503
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 10:26 am: |
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I am going to try to push to have someone there until 7:00 P.M. (I drove by at 6:15 last night and he was still directing traffic).
We are going to discuss the location of the Farmers Market at the next BOT conference agenda on 7/21. I think it might make more sense to move it elsewhere but it seems like every good location will cause some parking and traffic concerns. |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 98
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 3:17 pm: |
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Mr. Rosner: Would it also be possible to get some enforcement of the parking in this lot? People, especially on Farm Market day, are parking in areas that are NOT legit spaces. By doing so, they are blocking in people who pay to park. These cars do not have stickers to park in the lot. Yes, I know the lot is free for all later in the day, but aren't they supposed to park in the spaces, not in the aisles?
I can understand why moving the Farmers Market would inconvenience people, but I'd like to point out again that we pay a lot to park here, and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to be able to get in my car and exit the lot without being blocked in by farmers market shoppers/vendors and then by people illegally blocking the box at the exit. This often adds a good 15 minutes to my commute.
The situation is greatly eased when the officer is there, and I thank you for that. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 507
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 4:34 pm: |
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I will pass on the comments to the Parking Authority. They have the responsibility of enforcement in the NJ Transit lot.
There is no question that I noticed some of the same issues the other day which is why I asked the BOT to discuss this matter on Monday evening. |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 21
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 9:25 am: |
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Things are MUCH better now (with the exception of the recently noted comments)
Unfortionately, sometimes I get into town on the train that arrives at 5:15 and then I am still on my own..
Thanks to all who got this done |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 100
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 4:14 pm: |
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I agree--things were noticeably better last evening, even with the farmer's market. The officer was still directing traffic well after 6pm, and fewer cars parked in the aisles. And the market vendors had some lovely fruit and fresh corn. Love those pickles!
Mr. Rosner, thanks for your attention to this. We really appreciate it. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 524
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 4:24 pm: |
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Thanks, and this was one of those times where the comments/posts on MOL helped to solve the problem.
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thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 259
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 4:39 pm: |
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I'll toss in a big "Thank You," too. I often pick up my wife from the station, and I've found the gentleman directing traffic to be very helpful. He's able to take advantage of the natural ebbs in the flow of traffic on SO Ave. and get cars out of the parking lot despite the red light. Well done! |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 1615
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 9:04 pm: |
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"Well done!"
There you go... just as I said back on July 2, 2003. Mrosner is the winner of the...
"BEST TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE AWARD!"
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