Tag: No sidewalks

Ridgewood NJ, Despite being strongly recommended by a police department traffic safety officer, and having been identified as a necessity in the Village’s “Complete Streets” policy, sidewalks will NOT be constructed along Clinton Avenue when it is resurfaced in the coming months.During the Wednesday, 11/05, Village Council Work Session, Council members in attendance opted to side with the sixteen (16) property owners on Clinton, none of whom want sidewalks constructed on their street.

As a result of the Council’s decision, Clinton will remain closed to vehicular traffic before, during and after school hours every day school is in session, and dozens of children making their way to and from points south of Godwin Avenue to the Ridge Elementary school will continue walking to and from school in the middle of that street.

Several Clinton Avenue property owners were present at the Council Work Session, but none spoke.  No representative of the police department was in attendance, nor was Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser, who was present, afforded an opportunity to provide input (Rutishauser’s office authored and manages the Village’s “Complete Streets” policy).

Paradoxically, when many West Side residents expressed displeasure with the reconfiguration of Garber Square, Village Council members cited the “Complete Streets” policy as a primary reason why the changes were being made in conjunction with resurfacing of the area.  I guess the likelihood of 32 potential happy voters trumps “Complete Streets” in the case of Clinton Avenue?

As evidenced by the tragic loss-of-life incident that occurred several months ago in nearby Hawthorne, a driver could disregard posted “Do Not Enter” signs and come barreling down Clinton Avenue at the wrong time, taking out several innocent school children in a heartbeat.

Hopefully Village Council members come to their senses quickly and reverse this potentially tragic decision.