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Politics & Government

Scotch Plains Council Welcomes New Council Member

The Council meeting also saw a number of ordinances pertaining to traffic codes.

The Scotch Plains Council meeting Tuesday evening was business as usual, with the exception of the administration of a new council member’s Oath of Office.

The Council welcomed and swore in new Councilman Ed Saridaki, with Governor Donald DiFrancesco leading the oath.

“I’d like to thank the Republican committee for their faith in me and putting me in this position,” Saridaki said.

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Once Saridaki took his place on the council, the meeting commenced with a run-down of various agendas.

Most notable was the introduction of three ordinances amending Chapter VII of the Township Code entitled, “Traffic.”

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Councilman Mickey Marcus motioned to adopt the ordinances on first reading, with a second and final reading to be held August 14.

The first ordinance, Ordinance No. 2012-13, amends the traffic code by reducing the speed limit along portions of Martine Avenue.

Between King Street and Cooper Road, the ordinance would reduce speeds to 35 mph, and between Cooper Road and Raritan Road, speeds would reduce to 40 mph.

Ordinance No. 2012-14 would reduce the speed limit along portions of Raritan Road.

Between Terrill Road and Lake Avenue, speeds would be reduced to 35 mph, and from Lake Avenue to Lamberts Mill Road, speeds would reduce to 25 mph.

Speed reduction was proposed by the Union County Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities, supported with two years of data and speed counts, Marcus said.

The final of the traffic ordinances, Ordinance No. 2012-15, would add Cooper Road to the Township’s alphabetical list of mid-block crosswalks.

 “Vehicular and pedestrian traffic have increased,” Marcus said. “A mid-block marked crosswalk at the ponderosa park entrance and exit will be created to facilitate safety in that area.”

The board also approved nine items on the New Business Consent Agenda, including an award of contract for the Kramer Manor Park improvements and authorization for the execution of a New Jersey Department of Transportation Utility Opening Application for 1811 Route 22 West.

The council also announced the date of this year’s Scotch Plains Day, which is now scheduled for October 7.

“We’re going to have a really nice street fair like we have every year,” Mayor Mary DePaola said.

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