Pohatcong Looks to Solve Noise and Traffic Complaints "Warm Weather is Fine, but Noise, not Fine" – Mayor Slack.

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ – At the July 16, 2024, meeting at the Pohatcong municipal building, nearly three dozen people were present to discuss an item not on the agenda.

Still, they took the opportunity to raise concerns about traffic, speeding, and noise in the town's residential areas.

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Pohatcong Police Chief Robb confirmed that the only decibel reader is at the county level. However, police ask people to lower their music and cite them if they violate the ordinance. The key is that complaints must be called in.

Ravine Area Partying, Traffic increasing, and River Road

Resident Betsy Klipple said March Boulevard is "like a highway," asking the council, Mayor, and Police chief what can be done. Resident Kevin Duddy asked about four-way stop signs.

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The issue with stop signs for Pohatcong, according to Police Chief Robb, was nearly every neighborhood street lands on a county or state road, precluding the town from taking action without the state of New Jersey and DOT approval. Requiring traffic studies, the state rejects nearly all requests, compared to Phillipsburg, which Robb noted has more municipal roadways, where they can make that decision.

Noting it is not impossible, it is both expensive and requires DOT and an estimate for a speed bump is $5,000, which would need to be budgeted and would also impact snow plows covering the area. Slack noted they can investigate grants for improvements.

However, Councilman Melvin pointed out that even Still Valley Road has reckless drivers causing damage to property through careless driving. They are looking into even weight restrictions but lack the jurisdiction in some instances, but they do look to be creative where they can, where the state won’t object to jurisdiction.

Robb did note that key areas brought to his attention are monitored on each shift, and they will move the speed enforcement throughout areas brought to his attention. However, he reinforces that residents must call with issues. They can't take action without being there and having a report to look into it.

Mayor Slack noted that in the last couple of weeks, the number of noise complaints has been increasing and has been forwarded to the police department.

Most of the traffic has been caused by people cutting through the neighborhoods to avoid the traffic on the main highway and stop lights. However, the speeding, number of cars, and quality of life for those with young children are impacted, and kids can no longer play in the street, said several residents.

Addressing the partying and issues in the past, Chief Robb also noted many issues previously for the River Road area, which permitted people from out of town to be denied permits. It seems to be working, as the River Road area complaints and previous issues are minor. As a preventive measure, out-of-town permits in the area have been dismissed, noting many of the problems were caused by people outside the area.

Watch the meeting here:

Read more:

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