Mayor authorized to bring highway concerns to DOT
BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer

MARLBORO - The Township Council has authorized Mayor Robert Kleinberg to ask the state Department of Transportation to take action to deal with noise issues arising from traffic on Route 18.

The council unanimously passed the resolution at its meeting on Oct. 4, one week after a public forum had been held at town hall to discuss the Route 18 noise issues.

The council's resolution states that residents have brought their concerns about highway noise pollution to the attention of Marlboro officials, that the township has previously contacted the DOT to request assistance with the noise pollution problem and that residents have discussed possible ways of dealing with the situation.

The DOT will be asked to consider the following suggestions:

• reducing the speed limit from 65 mph to 55 mph on Route 18;

• increasing police presence and enforcement on Route 18;

• permitting commercial traffic on the Garden State Parkway north of Exit 105 and eliminating commercial traffic on Route 18;

• involving the state Department of Environmental Protection in the noise pollution and air quality issues resulting from the noise pollution coming from Route 18;

• approving Marlboro's request for noise barriers along Route 18;

• installing noise barriers along Route 18;

• approving Marlboro's request for authorization to place signs along Route 18 in order to enforce the township's engine braking ordinance.

The council said the goal of the initiative is to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents.

"We want the state to review the concerns residents have," Councilman Joseph Pernice said. "The one thing we can do is to increase our police presence on Route 18. We should continue to stay on top of this."

In response to a question from the council as to how long it would take to authorize increased police patrols and enforcement efforts on Route 18, Marlboro Police Department Deputy Chief George Landau said he would speak with the appropriate officers in the department and said the increased patrols would be effective the next day, Oct. 5.

Copies of the council's resolution will be forwarded to the DOT, Congressman Rush Holt, Congressman Frank Pallone, state Sen. Ellen Karcher, state Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, state Assemblyman Michael Panter, the Department of Public Works and other municipal officials.