Traffic concrens on Mulbery st

HAMBURG-Residents of Heritage Lakes coming onto Mulberry Street are "out of control," in the opinion of Daniel Barr, a homeowner on that street. Barr, along with other residents of the street, appeared at a recent town meeting to express concern over what they say is a dangerous situation that has prevailed for many years. The street, which Barr believes was intended only to be used for emergency purposes when the housing complex there was built in 1986, has become a problem that entails both a speeding issue and a volume issue. Barr said that in eight minutes he counted 30 autos coming through to Mulberry Street from the complex. He also said that cars are driving over the lawns of neighboring houses because they often cannot negotiate a curve. Another Mulberry Street resident told the council that more than half of the condominiums in the complex empty onto the street, and for the past 2-3 weeks, residents have called the police to complain of drivers "flying" down from the complex at speeds of 50-60 m.p.h. A third resident said that traffic needs to be slowed down to prevent "road rage." All who addressed the council said their biggest concern is for the safety of the neighborhood children. Among the suggestions offered to slow traffic are installing shallow, wide speed bumps or rumble strips. Barr said that these measures have been successfully installed in Lake Mohawk and Ledgewood. The trio offered to contact the N.J. Department of Transportation regarding regulations surrounding the speed bumps and signage. The residents further requested a speed limit of 15 miles per hour; the present limit is 25 miles per hour. The Mayor and Council offered to ask the Chief of Police to have patrols observe the area and to perhaps send a letter to all borough residents asking them to demonstrate more care when driving. The Council will also attempt to recover original plans for the Heritage Lakes development to establish whether or not the street in question is a through street or an emergency use street.