Grant would fund study of transportation issues
BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - As part of a stated intent to develop additional commuter parking for residents, Manalapan officials will apply for a $50,000 planning assistance grant from the state Department of Community Affairs.

Mayor Michelle Roth said at the Township Committee's Feb. 13 meeting that if Manalapan is awarded the grant the money will be used to conduct the traffic studies that will be needed in order to implement any parking proposal.

A resolution adopted by the governing body states that the study to be prepared will be a circulation plan element of Manalapan's master plan. A municipality's master plan guides its growth and development and includes various elements.

The resolution states that the intent is for the township to create "a circulation system that supports … interconnected streets, park and ride facilities, public transit routes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and greenways in an integrated manner that will create direct and logical access points throughout Manalapan."

During the meeting Deputy Mayor Susan Cohen announced that she would be meeting with representatives from the state Department of Transportation to discuss a problem on Route 9.

According to Cohen, the timing of the traffic lights and pedestrian signals on Route 9 at Ryan Road and Symmes Drive (which are across from one another) is an issue. She said she would ask the DOT to examine the situation and make corrections as needed.

Cohen ended up meeting with the DOT representatives on Feb. 14. She reported that they agreed there is a problem at this location and said they will take action.

Cohen said a sign will be placed at the intersection which will inform drivers that they must yield to pedestrians who are crossing the intersection. She said police will monitor the intersection to ensure compliance.

Also, the "flashing hand" signal that lets pedestrians know when it is safe to cross the highway will soon feature a numbered countdown so that people who are crossing at the intersection know how much time they have to do so.

In other business, Roth announced that another step has been taken toward cleaning up the community park in the Buck's Head residential development. The initiative began after Buck's Head residents attended a committee meeting and complained about conditions at the park.

The Buck's Head development is off of Union Hill Road.

Roth said she and Cohen accompanied Police Chief Stuart Brown to Buck's Head in order to see the layout of the park and to better assess how to make improvements.

There have been reports of vandalism and loitering at the park. Some residents said their daughters have been the target of insulting remarks made by groups of teenagers who hang out at the park after dark.

Officials have said that lighting and maintenance improvements are being planned for the park. Roth said officials may consider increasing penalties associated with curfew violations, vandalism and other quality of life offenses.

Finally, Roth announced that the Marlboro Swim Club, Gordons Corner Road, Marlboro, will open 300 memberships to Manalapan residents. Roth said the memberships will be offered for $525 per family and will be available without sponsorship on a first-come, first-served basis. The Marlboro Swim Club may be reached at (732) 617-9600.