TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—A township advisory committee focused on traffic flow around Washington Elementary School during school drop-off and pick-up times—a longtime safety concern—hopes to meet with Westwood Regional school officials soon to find out what alternatives both might be able to back.
Council President Desserie Morgan told Pascack Press, on Oct. 23, “We are in touch with the school district on a regular basis, and they are working to see what options they can support. Although there is no set meeting date in place yet, we will be requesting a date in November.”
District superintendent Jill Mortimer told Pascack Press on Oct. 24 that the board discussed the possibility of an expansion of Washington School at its Oct. 16 Finance & Facilities Committee meeting, and that Washington School principal Melissa Palianto and the district’s architect were present.
“In light of the potential expansion, the committee members recommended reconvening with the township officials to discuss the traffic flow around Washington School. Business administrator Keith Rosado is in the process of reaching out to them to set a date in the near future,” Mortimer said.
Residents speak out
At least six neighborhood residents, some appearing at recent council meetings, have pressed for solutions to the traffic gridlock and safety problems at transition times at the school, and Morgan has requested police chief Richard Skinner begin pilots or trials of at least two options: changing the flow of traffic around the school during drop off and pick up, plus establishing no-parking zones on surrounding streets, including Wayne Place and White Birch Road.
However, town administrator Mark DiCarlo noted an initial discussion with Skinner appeared to indicate that traffic flow redirection might put more cars back on Pascack Road, worsening traffic.
Moreover, he said the initial thought was that a no-parking requirement might also cause parents to park on nearby streets and simply move the parking problem.
DiCarlo said there were still “many conversations” to be had about options and that solving the gridlock and safety issues was at “the forefront of residents.”
Morgan said she, mayor Peter Calamari, and DiCarlo were partnering to schedule another meeting with district officials, including Mortimer, who has announced her retirement, and Rosado.
Ultimately, district officials must approve improvements for school grounds, and funding, during meetings on Washington School expansion plans.
Rosado told Pascack Press that no expansion plans had yet gone to the state education department for approval and that no timeline was available.
Emily Kratzer of White Birch Road asked DiCarlo if he had reviewed a state study on school safety previously provided by resident Leonard Sabino. DiCarlo said he had not.
She also asked about a possible traffic flow committee meeting, and again said she favored busing as an option to reduce traffic.
Ellen Dogali of Wayne Place said installing a loop around the school for drop offs and pickups “would make it so much easier” to go around, drop off, and go on down to Pascack Road.
Morgan said collaborating with the schools to improve the safety of students during busy drop off and pickup times is critical.
Council vice president Steven Cascio said at least four or five properties might be needed to create a loop, properties owned by the township, school and two residential properties.
Al Giulio of Wayne Place suggested, “Don’t waste money on sidewalks” and urged council put those funds toward “alternative parking options.”
Jay Goldenberger said there was a safety issue on Wayne Place when parents walk with children in the street to bring them to school. He said the traffic issues presented ongoing safety concerns, and said something should be done before someone gets hurt.
He said sidewalks were the only ways to address safety issues for people who currently walk in the street, since there are no sidewalks. He said “other alternatives” that align with ordinances should also be looked into. “We have to draw the line and do something,” he urged the council, suggesting sidewalks on one side of the street.
Morgan said she would favor only sidewalks if they solved all the circulation and safety problems. She said she did not want to spend “tons of money” if it made no difference in solving the circulation and safety concerns during drop off and pickup times.
She said she wanted to “explore other options that don’t cost anything” and get the data on whether these options work or not.
Member Stacy DeMarco-Feeney said everyone on the dais has the same goal: to keep local children safe.
Dan Paolucci of Wayne Place requested the council to be “one collective voice” in advocating for the school board to use only school-owned property “and no longer use township streets” for dropoff and pick ups.
He said his issue was with traffic volume, as well as liability, charging the town with transferring liability to approximately 10 property owners via a potential sidewalk. He said the township “should expect and require” the school board to solve problems with drop-off and pickup on its own property.