October 9, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Midland Park Residents want to slow down Highwood traffic Highwood Avenue residents asked the Midland Park Mayor and Council at their last meeting to take steps to slow down traffic on their street. The mile-long roadway continues through the Spruce Street residential develop- ment and is often used by motorists as a shortcut between Prospect Street and Glen Avenue. Kathy Feuilly of 75 Highwood Avenue said cars travel so fast and close to the property line they splatter road gravel and debris, hitting her home’s siding with the force of BB gun pellets. She said neighbors hesitate to walk on their neighbors’ front lawns, which they consider trespass- ing. Feuilly suggested closing off the road with a land- scaped island that could be crossed for emergency access. She said the street had once been a dead-end street. (The street led to a dirt road through the open fields before Spruce Street was developed in the 1940s; subsequently it was always a through street, according to residents famil- iar with the area.) Gina Perrone of 50 Highwood Avenue said it is impos- sible for residents to walk their dog along the narrow street, which in places is only 26 feet wide, not enough for two cars to cross each other. Jerry Livreri of 60 Highwood agreed that traffic “has gotten completely out of hand and is not getting better,” but he objected to making the street a dead end. “If you block the street, it stops our access to Pros- pect,” Livreri said. He added that street bumps would be an option that would “be up to the police.” Tara Hardt-Velez of 37 Highwood, who said she was a lifelong resident, asked for a greater police presence and street signs to warn motorists. She admitted, however, that police have been monitoring the street and that a police officer lives on her block. “Anything is better than now,” she said. Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan said the residents’ con- cerns would be turned over to the police department for a recommendation. He also said the DPW would be asked to sweep the roadway so as to eliminate the flying gravel. After the meeting, Police Chief Michael Marra said a traffic survey done from Aug. 23 through Sept. 11 deter- mined that out of the 5,600 vehicles that used the street, only 11 vehicles were clocked over 40 miles per hour. Lake Avenue bridge finally reopens The Lake Avenue Bridge in Midland Park finally reopened last week, to the relief of town officials who had had to deal with the increased traffic through borough streets. “We’re very happy,” said Borough Clerk/Administra- tor Addie Hanna, who had been pressuring the county to move the project along. Although Lake Avenue is only two blocks long, it is used by motorists as a shortcut between Rt. 208 and Goffle Road and Ridgewood and Route 17, bypassing the busy Godwin Avenue/Goffle Road intersec- tion. More than 11,000 vehicles are estimated to cross the bridge daily. “We are overjoyed that the bridge construction is com- pleted after more than 13 months as the street is used fre- quently by large trucks and area motorists,” commented Police Sgt. Noah Van Vliet. “The re-opening will take traf- fic volume off other county roads and side streets in the area. The current backups at area traffic lights should also subside now, making traveling in and around Midland Park easier.” Van Vliet noted that the open bridge will greatly help with the upcoming leaf removal season as the Village of Ridgewood trucks will no longer be transporting loads of (continued on page 12) Acknowledging that many motorists travel over the 25 mph limit, he said his department would continue to mon- itor the speed and mount radar details. Best accessories Andrea Delmont, left, manager of the Kurth Cottage Gift Shop at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, accessorizes Mid- land Park Branch Valley Hospital Auxiliary President JoAnn Levine during a demonstration at a recent auxiliary meet- ing. Delmont, who has extensive connections in the fashion industry through her previous merchandising experience with national retail chains, gave a preview of the new cloth- ing and accessory lines and gave fashion tips. Call Levine at 201-652-0873 or Co-Chairman Gilda Gilmartin at 201-444- 8614 for further information. New members are welcome.