The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].
Question:
Dear Mayor Coles,
We have all seen much ongoing effort on the part of the department of public works in filling potholes and understand that the Township takes road maintenance seriously. That said, I assume there must be some explanation as to why the local township roads are not completely resurfaced at regular intervals when deemed necessary. As it stands now, most of the local streets are in poor condition and many are just really atrocious. The current system is seemingly a “bandaid policy” of “kicking the ball down the road” and doesn’t seriously address the problem. I have been living here for well over a decade..
In that time I have seen the street where my parents live (a side street in Monsey N.Y.) resurfaced twice and the street where my in-laws live in Brooklyn (a dead end) was resurfaced as well. The condition of neither of those streets were nearly as bad as the AVERAGE street currently in Lakewood.
Our property taxes are sky high and our streets look like their from some third world country. Aside from the terrible driving conditions we endure, residents vehicles are getting damaged or worn out faster because of the rough roads.
I understand that there is sometimes a moratorium on opening road surfaces after a resurfacing and that this can cause problems in some areas with on going development.
Nevertheless it would seem, that even right now overall most roads can get resurfaced without complication. Either way that issue can certainly be resolved with proper legislation resulting in no negative repercussions. As it is, I believe that there is already an ordinance in place requiring developers to completely resurface roads that are more than 20% disturbed, and likely this can get addressed in the same regard.
I have asked around and haven’t heard a logical explanation regarding this “never resurfacing” phenomenon.
I look forward to your response and thank you for the opportunity to ask in this forum.
Thank you!
Response from Mayor Coles:
The township recognized this problem several years ago & embarked on a program to prioritize and resurface our roads. Public Works inventoried the condition of all Township Owned roads and we are trying to get as many as possible done each year. Contractors will begin several more as soon as the asphalt plants are back in full operation.
We are also working with the county & state to get their roads in shape. The state will be repaving Rt 88 in the near future. The county repaved New Hampshire between 88 & Ridge last year. I am told they have Ridge from County Line to the Howell Border and several others on the schedule for this coming year.
My hope is that future committees will continue this process so that we can get on a schedule to ensure that all township roads are resurfaced on a regular schedule and that repairs, such as sealing cracks and infrared repair, to street openings, are prioritized.
Ray
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Have a question for the Mayor? Send it to [email protected]
Rt 88 was completely repaved about 6 or 7 years ago and was good until NJ American and developers started opening it up. Who ever opened it should be responsible for the cost.
Mayer Coles you are doing a great job. We need more people like you in Lakewood.
Spruce St from Route 9 to Marc Dr is a disaster but nothing is ever done about. I have complained to the township with no action.
The developers destroy the road, patch the hole, but it is extremely bumpy and damaging to cars.