The City Council split 4-3 over the need for a complete overhaul of the road between Terrill and Leland avenues, with objectors calling for the state to pay the tab and supporters saying its dire condition must be fixed immediately.
Council members Vera Greaves, William Reid and Bridget Rivers argued that the 1/8-mile stretch had cost $1 million to build and the city should not spend more money on it while other city roads desperately need repairs. In addition, they said the state should pay to fix it, as it is part of Route 28. But the question of who has jurisdiction over the Plainfield portion of the road has not been resolved.
Meanwhile, council members Rebecca Williams, Adrian Mapp, Cory Storch and Council President Annie McWilliams voted "yes," citing the need to make the road safe and attractive despite reservations over the ownership issue. Mapp, an especially adamant holdout in the past for state control to be established, said at the Sept. 6 agenda-fixing session his vote would be "my first 'yes' on this project." Williams said she lost a tire to the damaged road last winter. McWilliams said the road was crumbling under the last paving and had to be repaired.
The section of Route 28 in question traverses the South Avenue business district and includes access to the Netherwood train station and a small park developed with support of the Plainwood Square Merchants Association. Officials said it was resurfaced in 1999 despite warnings that the base was faulty. Now, Acting City Administrator David Kochel said, it will have "a total reconstruct," including a drainage system aimed at preventing future buckling.
Greaves called for warranties on the work this time around and others said the legal responsibility for the road must still be investigated. Recently the state and Union County faced off over the issue, with each claiming the other was liable, officials said. Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson said it will take "a mighty effort" to get the jurisdiction issue resolved.
--Bernice
This street was done just 10 years ago..completely. Why do we have to pay for this all over again? You have to wonder why it has to be redone and repaid for completely.
ReplyDeleteWord on the street is the new dems voted "yes" to cover up the previous administration's poor design decisions. Those decisions led why are pay for it again. Mapp voted "yes" originally to this, and now once again.
This is not the first time for taxpayers to beat the same costs more than one. Thank you Mapp. Thank you new dems.
Well Dan, isn't that your job?
ReplyDeleteAnd to 11:26am - who completed the job? It appears to me that Plainfield does not have very good representation when it comes to fighting for ourselves. If you have a home, you should thank the new dems. Your house value may actually not tank because Plainfield may actually look some what presentable for home buyers.
Who you should sarcastically thank are all the council and mayors who made really dumb decisions. Plainfield has not gotten this way in 6 years. I think we had really dumb people running this city for a very long time.
to anonymous at 1:06PM.... How could they be dumb, they were Democrats, weren't they?
ReplyDeleteSelf serving, serving for those above them but most certainly not serving the people.
When one party has it's grip on a city, county, or state you have stale ideas, from stale people and the only thing that gets served are the politicians themselves. Is funny how everyone can speak freely about how "mistakes" of the past have put Plainfield where it is, but yet they keep repeating them. Getting rid of Jerry Green, Mayor Sharon, all the members on the city council who support them...New Dem's included - Adrian - ( for now, until closer to election when the rest will retire their principles I am sure "for the party" ) and putting in Republicans, Independents, Green Party, Socialists you name it...Fresh blood, Fresh people, Fresh ideas...People in Plainfield need to send a message other than.."Go ahead, roll me" to the politicians. Will they?? I think history already shows us the answer..