Spotswood residents tell of speeding, water woes

SPOTSWOOD — Dora Avenue residents, plagued by speedy drivers and poor water pressure, say they feel like the forgotten area of town.

About 10 residents from Dora Avenue attended Monday’s Borough Council meeting to voice their frustration. They said their road suffers from poor paving, speeding and water problems, and that borough officials have been no help.

Kathleen Drude of Dora Avenue said she was in contact with Police Chief Karl Martin as well as other police officers, and asked them to crack down on people who speed down the residential street.

"Dora Avenue is turning into a racetrack," she said, adding that an officer promised a radar would be set up to dissuade speeders, but it never was. She later learned the officer did not have the authority to promise a radar, because that was a decision for the traffic officer, she said.

Drude told council members that she and her neighbors have been complaining for more than a year, but nothing has been done.

"Someone’s going to get hurt," she told the council, noting that many small children live on her street. "It’s time for you all to step up."

Drude said the street does not have posted speed signs. She said she and her neighbors know who the traffic violators are, and they include contractors and subcontractors doing work in the area.

The speeding also causes items in some of the homes to shake, she said, and wakes residents up early in the morning.

Part of the reason for the vibrations is that the sides of the road were repaved after the town worked on the water lines. The pavement is now lifting up, making the road uneven. When large vehicles pass over the area, they bounce, leading to the noise.

Another resident said the area needs a stop sign and Children at Play signs.

Mayor Barry Zagnit said this was the first he has heard of the problems, and will forward the issues to Martin.

Council President Judith Ruffo said she was glad the residents brought their concerns to the council, and said they should have done so earlier.

"Anyone can come here," she said. "We don’t always know what’s going on [in all areas of town]."

Councilman Kevin Meade said he took exception to the residents’ claim that they were neglected, saying everyone in the borough receives the same attention.

"We understand, we feel your pain," he said. "We’re not going to sit here and ‘yes’ you."

Valerie Hudasko, also Dora Avenue, said she is worried someone will get hurt because of the speeding.

The speeding problems are also causing tension between residents and drivers.

John Kaczorowski, Dora Avenue, said he stood in front of one car in order to tell the driver to slow down. The car stopped, then drove within 3 feet of him, he said. He put his foot on the car’s bumper, and the driver called the police.

The residents said there have been many instances where they yelled for people to stop and were greeted with verbal obscenities and hand gestures. Kaczorowski said some residents have even been threatened.

After the meeting, another Dora Avenue resident, Jean Watson, said her dog was hit by a car. The dog was not seriously hurt and the driver did stop, although he did not offer to pay any veterinary bills.

Zagnit told resident James Miller, also of Dora Avenue, that residents can sign complaints against drivers who violate the law. The resident must get a license plate number, as well as a physical description of the driver to do so. If there are other witnesses, they should get involved as well to corroborate the claims, he said. In the case of speeding, the residents cannot prove what a driver’s speed was, but can argue it was above the 25 mph limit, he said.

"If you see it, and want enforcement, go for it," he told them.

Drude said police told her they are too busy and undermanned to enforce driving laws any more than they already do on her road.

"That’s not acceptable," she said.

She said she could not understand how this was the first time the mayor and council were hearing of the problems because residents have complained for more than a year. Their patience has run out, they said, and they want immediate action. Drude said she has already told Zagnit and Business Administrator Jacqueline Ascione of the problems.

Zagnit told residents they should call his office, or Ascione, if they have any problems.

Drude also complained about a lack of water pressure in Dora Avenue homes, saying residents have to shower early in the morning or late at night because of the lack of consistent pressure. She said the problem has existed for seven years, and has gotten worse when the new homes on the street were built. She blamed the problem on unfinished water line work.

Meade said the new line has probably been installed, but the homes are not hooked up to it yet.

Zagnit said he was under the impression they had been hooked up, but that the town will look into the problem.

"If these things are not addressed, we will be back," Drude promised.

—Vincent Todaro