Talk of Route 18 noise draws crowd in Marlboro
Residents have suggestions; state says money is tight
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer

MARLBORO - A crowd of residents, tired of what was described as constant noise issues related to Route 18 in Marlboro, met recently at town hall for a public forum on the issue. They were joined by state Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck (RMonmouth and Mercer), state Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-Monmouth and Mercer) and members of the Township Council.

Council President Jeff Cantor, who is running for a seat on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, opened the meeting by noting the size of the audience and saying it was an indication that the noise coming from Route 18 is a problem.

Panter noted that "this is clearly a serious problem not confined to a few houses." He said there is a similar issue on Route 35 near his home in eastern Monmouth County.

"My intention is to make a case for [putting] sound barriers" on Route 18, Panter said, adding that he and Cantor expect to meet with representatives of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to discuss the situation.

Panter, who is running for re-election to the Assembly, promised to go to bat on this issue for the residents.

On the day after the public meeting Panter told Greater Media Newspapers he had spoken with a DOT representative concerning some of the suggestions that had been made the previous evening. Those suggestions included the possibility of lowering the speed limit on Route 18, possibly rerouting trucks farther north along the Garden State Parkway and the state denying Marlboro the ability to post signs on Route 18 prohibiting trucks from using engine brakes.

"It doesn't make sense that the DOT didn't sign off on the signs," the assemblyman said, adding that those issues would be addressed when he and Cantor met with the DOT on Oct. 11.

Residents were upset that the DOT did not send a representative to the meeting. An empty space remained at the dais with a placard for DOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri.

Beck, who is running for a seat in the state Senate, said she contacted Kolluri in a variety of ways and was informed that he would not be in attendance.

One resident said if Kolluri would not come to Marlboro then she would go to see him in Trenton. Her fellow audience members responded with applause.

A DOT spokeswoman told Greater Media Newspapers that the public forum about Route 18 noise had been scheduled at a time when no one from the DOT could attend. She said letters had been sent in response to two written requests that had been received.

Beck said it is important that Marlboro's voices be heard. She suggested that the people present at the meeting sign petition which she would deliver to the DOT commissioner.

Cantor said the issue of Route 18 was raised two years ago and said it had been determined that a noise study was needed.

The noise study was never provided by the state. A letter dated March 2005 from Jack Lettiere, who was the DOT commissioner at the time, said that due to limited transportation dollars the DOT would not be initiating any new noise studies.

"The reality is that there will be fewer Also in the letter, Kolluri said the new noise wall projects going to construction in the future," Lettiere wrote.

Cantor said he lives along the area of Route 18 and spoke about his frustration with the noise.

After the state refused to conduct a noise study, James Priolo, Marlboro's township engineer, had a noise study performed by an outside company. The test was conducted from early morning on a Monday until early morning on a Wednesday in two locations along Route 18. He said the results exceeded the state's criteria for a noise issue.

One resident suggested that a noise study be conducted on a Saturday night. He claimed Route 18 is louder at that time when cars race along the highway.

Cantor said that in 2006 an enginebraking ordinance was adopted by the township, but he said officials were told by the state that they cannot put the signs up.

"We're being stymied by the state," he said.

Democratic council candidate Randi Marder suggested that stricter signs be placed on the road, like those in other towns that inform motorists violations will result in a mandatory court appearance and stating the amount of the fine that will have to be paid.

It was stated that part of the problem relating to Route 18 is the number of trucks that travel the highway each day. As it stands, trucks traveling northbound on the Garden State Parkway must leave the parkway at Exit 105. This exit gives truckers the option of entering Route 36 or Route 18.

Many residents called upon the officials present at the meeting to look into the possibility of allowing trucks beyond Exit 105. Their feeling was that if the trucks were permitted to continue north on the parkway it would reduce the number of trucks traveling on Route 18.

Beck said the decision about not allowing trucks on the parkway north of Exit 105 was a public policy decision. She said she would look into that situation.

Carol Fox, who lives near Route 18, asked why sound barriers were being built near a project on Route 1 while Marlboro was told there was no money.

"We're the stepchild of the state. Marlboro is being ignored," she said.

The resident was told that federal money is being used in the Route 1 project.

Changing the speed limit along Route 18 seemed to be a popular idea among the group. Residents asked that the speed be lowered from 65 mph to 55 mph.

One resident said that would not solve the problem unless there was an increase in enforcement to back it.

Marlboro police Sgt. Joseph Lenge said an increase in patrols on the highway could be done.

Beck said it might be possible to change the speed limit.

Speaking about the correspondence between the DOT and Marlboro, Beck said Kolluri is resistant to the idea of sound barriers. She said the idea of using plantings to dampen the sound coming from the highway had come about.

In a letter from Kolluri to Cantor dated Sept. 18, the commissioner said, "NJDOT currently has several projects that are awaiting funding and, therefore, cannot entertain any new requests for the Type II noise barriers or studies at this time."

"The Type II or retro fit noise barrier program is a voluntary program to allow states to investigate noise mitigation for residences adjacent to major highways that were built prior to the National Environmental Policy Act," the letter explains. DOT's Landscape Bureau was asked to investigate the possibility of providing relief to Marlboro as part of the Good Neighbor Landscaping Program.

It was a mixed feeling in town hall as to the type of noise barrier that should be constructed. Many people requested a large wall barrier, while others felt a wall would be unattractive and that trees and shrubbery would be the better option.

A DOT spokeswoman told Greater Media Newspapers that the area of Marlboro in question does not qualify for the wall sound barrier. She said the department is investigating if anything can be done to provide relief from the noise in the form of landscaping.

The estimated price for a wall sound barrier was said to be $1 million per mile. One resident asked if it was possible for Marlboro to obtain other price quotes and install the wall without the state's help, or perhaps see if they raised half the money if the state would match the fee.

Cantor immediately addressed that question and said Marlboro's taxes are through the roof and to do as the resident suggested and build the sound barrier itself would make taxes even higher.

Beck said Marlboro would not want to go down the road of private financing. She said the noise issue is the DOT's problem and that agency should be the one to fix it.

Democratic mayoral candidate Jonathan Hornik stood before the audience and said he found the meeting helpful and frustrating; frustrating because there was a room full of people with a problem and nothing was happening. The wall, he said, was a long-term project, but lowering the speed limit and posting signs were things the municipality could act on now, he said.

Aside from the noise issues, residents brought up possible health concerns.

One woman said the back of her home, which faces Route 18, is covered in grime and said she cannot open her windows. She blamed the grime from pollution given off by passing trucks.

Another resident said if he leaves his windows open in the summer the emissions from the trucks passing by on Route 18 set off the carbon monoxide detectors in his home.

That led to the idea of filing a complaint with the federal Environmental Protection Agency since the noise and fumes are forms of pollution.

Beck was concerned with the mention of the carbon monoxide detectors going off in a home and suggested that it might be appropriate to conduct an air quality study.

As the meeting drew toward an end a member of state Sen. Ellen Karcher's (DMonmouth and Mercer) staff said Karcher sent out letters and was informed that sound barriers are apparently being phased out. He said lowering the speed limit seemed to be a good idea and said Karcher had received a verbal commitment for a noise study.

"Everyone here tonight has witnessed what we experience when we try to get to the state," Mayor Robert Kleinberg told the audience.

The mayor invited residents to come to his office so they could call state officials together and see how unresponsive they are.

"It's time for state representatives to do what is right for Marlboro," Kleinberg said.

Councilwoman Rosa Tragni and Councilman Joseph Pernice were present at the meeting.

"Our job here is to listen to our residents," Tragni said.

She said she was saddened to hear that children cannot even play in their yards as some parents reported. Tragni said she believed the meeting demonstrated the bureaucratic troubles in New Jersey.

"We're still going to fight for our residents," she said.

Pernice said he believed the residents' voices were strong. He asked that meetings be continued and said hopefully one could be arranged during which a representative from the DOT would be in attendance.

The night drew to a close with residents being assured they would be informed of any updates concerning the Route 18 noise issue.

"The fight has just begun," Beck said in conclusion.