Parking, Sewer Fees, and Car Traffic Top Public Discussion at Council Meeting

A sewer ordinance that would require property owners to pay for damages and concerns about parking and car congestion, were among the topics raised by Bloomfield residents at this week’s township council meeting.

James P. O’Connell, said he is 86 years old and has lived in Bloomfield for 52 years. He spoke to the council  to oppose a sewer ordinance that would make property owners  responsible for any damages to the sewer pipe from the curb to the main connection in the street.

In addition, property owners would be required to keep the sewer pipe connection free of garbage.

 “I don’t own it,” said O’Connell, “That’s not my property so why am I paying for it?”

O’Connell argued that it would be an additional expense to residents, besides their municipal taxes. “The way I look at it, Mr. Mayor and council members, is that you have a responsibility to connect the curb to the water – that’s on your back,” said O’Connell, “Please don’t take it off your back and put it on mine and on the other taxpayers.”

Residents also complained at Monday night's meeting that cars along Thomas Street, from Winsor to the Glen Ridge border are speeding and causing parking and traffic congestion. “I fear that my children who still aren’t old enough, to know not to run after that ball in the street,” said Lauren Favetti who lives in the Third Ward, “We are way too overcrowded with cars.”

She blamed a rise in the number of multi-family homes and renters, which has impacted single-family homeowners.“Many of the multi-family homes are neglected. I happen to live next to one where I’ve had them call vermin control many times – it’s that neglected,” said Favetti.

She said residents in the community feel there is a lack of home maintenance and a lack of concern by the township about the impact and the effect on their quality of life.

 “We’ve had increased drug activity and increased domestic violence calls in our neighborhood,” said Favetti, “All of these things are making for a more unpleasant place to raise my family.”