Upper Committee to Seek County Input Regarding Accident-prone Intersection

PETERSBURG – Upper Township Committee met Nov. 24 with a tree-lighting ceremony beforehand at the Municipal Building.
Committee discussed recent accidents that have occurred at the intersection of Stagecoach and Tuckahoe roads and how best to improve the safety of motorists travelling there.
“We have experienced a lot of new commercial activity in the area, and while it takes a lot to do, we need to approach the county, since this is a county road, about going beyond just signage, no parking and a blinking light,” said Mayor Richard Palombo.
“I’ve seen, in the last couple of months, bad accidents there and near misses. We should move forward in seeing what the county can do to put a full traffic signal at this intersection,” he continued.
Committee unanimously approved a resolution to ask the county what is possible to fix this situation.
Amanda’s Field Upgrades
Committee member Hobart Young reported that improvements to Amanda’s Field are progressing with drainage, grading and fencing installed as well as re-installation of batting cages.
“With any luck we will keep having some good weather days when we can move on finishing up some of the remaining projects. Right now, the fields are looking great and it’s one big expanse of green,” he said.
Young followed up on an earlier discussion at a prior committee meeting to consider the purchase of a neighboring building for potential sale through the county’s Open Space program.
“Whenever we have the chance to obtain such a building, especially this one since it’s in good shape, we are investing in the future of the township,” said Young.
Committee agreed to move forward with gauging the interest of the county to acquire the building and then deed it back to the township for $1 annually as has been done with Amanda’s Field.
Center Cleanliness Issues
Young notified committee that during the past week users of the Community Center had left behind evidence of their use, including bloody floors, vomit in the sink, and similar unsatisfactory problems.
The lack of cleanup seems to have happened during weekday usage by sports programs for wrestling and basketball. “We can’t have our employees running the risk of doing damage to themselves when they clean up those types of problems although these are township-sanctioned programs. We need to have anyone who’s in the facility adhere to the usage check list that’s in place and have coaches and players take responsibility for clean up,” said Palombo.
Community center users do not pay fees for use of the center when engaged in township-sanctioned or sponsored activities, so committee discussed whether to consider charging a clean-up fee or having township employees clean after those programs.
Committee asked Young to discuss the problem with the center’s advisory board and report back on findings and recommendations as to how to address those clean up problems in the future.
Township Staff Resolutions
Among resolutions passed was the reappointment of Janet McCrosson as municipal court administrator on an interim basis for a term of one year effective Dec. 1 of this year.
They approved reappointment of Barbara Young as municipal clerk with tenure for the township with a start date of Dec. 1 of this year.
Committee also approved the application of Marmora Volunteer Fire Department for its “highway coin drop” activities.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.