November 20, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 13 Town, school officials to meet on parking woes “It’s a volume problem, not a speed problem,” Waldwick Police Lt. Ed Webber said of the traffic situ- ation on Idalane Street. The one-block roadway behind Waldwick High School/Middle School is used by par- ents to drop off and pick up their teenagers before and after school hours to the chagrin of residents, who say drivers block or turn around in their driveways, double park and speed down the street. After hearing from residents and much discussion, Mayor Thomas Giordano said the borough would reach out to school officials to see if there is anything the schools can do. “The problem is not just on Idalane. Every school has a problem. The cars have to go somewhere,” said Councilman Don Sciolaro. Lt. Webber, who had previously recommended alter- nate parking as a means of alleviating resident concerns on Idalane, had been asked to review his proposals and attend last week’s meeting of the mayor and council to answer questions. “I sympathize with the residents. I know it is frus- trating, but it’s a nuisance thing. We don’t have any speeding or accidents. We don’t have any legal author- ity to tell people not to drive on a public roadway. The only thing we can do is restrict parking,” Webber said. His previous suggestion had been to restrict parking to one side of the street on alternating days; and limiting parking to the south side of the street from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on school days. Lt Webber said limiting parking to one side of the street increases visibility and allows for two lanes of traffic so cars can get in and out. “It’s a good starting point. It worked in Gateway,” he added, referring to restrictions placed on that street adjacent to Crescent School, which had experienced similar traffic prob- lems. “Enough is enough. You have to do something about it,” resident John Skorupa told the council. “If I should come home one day and my daughter is dead or the house has burned to a crisp because the ambulance or fire truck could not get through, you’ll pay for it,” he added. Among the suggestions given by the residents were closing the access gate from the school to the street, forcing cars to use the school property, and providing a turn around at the end of the street by building a cul- de-sac. Webber said that closing the access to Idalane will move the traffic to West Prospect and other neighbor- ing streets, as happens with all schools. “The parents don’t belong on the street at the det- riment of the residents,” said Lawrence Miller, who’s lived on the street for 43 years. He suggested the school stagger dismissal times to reduce congestion. Board of Education President Dawn Monaco, pres- ent at the meeting, said staggering the times would not be an option. She said an informal survey had deter- mined that only a small percentage of students gets picked up on Idalane. Acknowledging that it only takes a few people to cause a problem, however, she said that perhaps the schools could send a letter out to parents asking them to be conscious of the situation. “Alternate parking is not convenient to anyone. Why is it our responsibility? The school should provide enough of an area for the kids to be picked up,” said Liz Rutkowski. Councilman Frank Palladino expressed concern that if the street opens up, drivers will speed instead of slowing down. “It’s safer,” he said, wondering how to decide on which side of the street to restrict parking.