On the surface, it seems like a simple dilemma with an even easier solution.
A concerned resident notices a problem with heavy traffic flow, rates of speed, and accidents on a North Bergen street and asks whether authorities could place a stop sign at the corner.
Recognizing the problem, the township’s officials realize that there is a need for the stop sign.
However, that’s where the simple part of the problem ends. Even though both are in agreement that the sign is a necessity, a lot has to be done before anyone can throw a stop sign on a township intersection. The last word on the stop sign will eventually come from the state Department of Transportation.
During the public hearing portion of last Wednesday’s regular meeting of North Bergen’s Board of Commissioners, an angry Hernando Alvarado got into a heated discussion with Mayor Nicholas Sacco over the possibility of putting a stop sign on the corner of 74th Street and Third Avenue in the township’s northern end.
Alvarado said that he had documentation from the state Department of Transportation that a formal request for a stop sign at the intersection was not made by the township. He also stated that a three-car accident occurred at the site two weeks ago.
“Enough is enough,” Alvarado said, directly to Sacco. “Will you put up a stop sign there, for the safety of our children? Based on prior meetings, I have to call you a liar.”
While Sacco tried to answer Alvarado, he kept yelling back at the mayor.
“It’s my five minutes,” Alvarado said. “Let me speak. You’re clearly lying to the people.”
Sacco fired back.
“Hernando, if you’re so concerned, why don’t you run for county committee?” Sacco said. “I’d love to see you run. I want to see you represent the people. But you don’t have the courage to run. You’re a coward. To give you an answer about the stop sign? We have no answer.”
After Alvarado’s time was up, Edward “Bo” Scannavino, who regularly attends the commissioners’ meetings to voice his displeasure about the Sacco administration, went on the attack against the mayor.
“I’m speaking now, so you shut up,” Scannavino barked at the mayor. “You’re allowed to speak out and no one else is. What gives you the right? You’re disturbing the town meeting.”
Sacco gave in.
“You’re right, Bo,” Sacco said. “I’ll give you your five minutes.”
From that point on, Sacco was silent.
Later on, Alvarado lashed out at Sacco from the audience and was asked to leave. Before the public portion of a meeting begins, Sacco always warns the audience that any unauthorized responses from the audience can lead to expulsion from the meeting for disturbing the township meeting. This policy has been in place for the last 18 months, ever since anti-Sacco residents have been regularly attending the meetings to verbally attack the mayor.
“Are you going to physically remove me?” Alvarado said. “I’ll go on my own.”
He was escorted out of the chambers by a police officer.
After the meeting, Alvarado said that his motives are strictly for the safety of his neighborhood.
“This all has to do with the safety of our children and our residents,” Alvarado said. “I’ve been patient in waiting, but how much longer do we have to wait? This is not a political issue. It is a safety issue.”
In his office after the meeting, Sacco said that he has always been in favor of having a stop sign at the site and has been trying to get one since 1998. However, the state DOT has certain criteria that are needed before a stop sign can be erected, he said. According to the state DOT guidelines, a stop sign could be warranted at an intersection where one or more of the following conditions exist:
An intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule is unduly hazardous.
A street entering a through highway or street
Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area.
Other intersections where a combination of high speed, restricted view and serious accident record indicates the need for control by the stop sign.
“At that time, we fell short of having a good enough reason for a stop sign in the eyes of the DOT,” Sacco said. “It’s very difficult to get a stop sign. Maybe now that I am the chairman of the Transportation Committee [for the state senate], we will have a better chance than before.”
“It has to do with traffic volume and the last time we tried, there was not enough volume on that street,” North Bergen Police Chief Angelo Busacco explained. “The mayor has requested that we revisit the site and conduct another survey to see if there is enough volume now.”
The engineering firm of Boswell McClane, with Rick McGrath overseeing the project, has begun the survey. The police department has also placed its mobile radar detection devise at the site to determine the average rate of speed that people use while traveling on the street.
Lt. Gary Richmond, the township’s traffic commander, interviewed about 15 residents of the neighborhood to get their concerns. Those concerns will be submitted to the state DOT.
“The mayor, Commissioner [Theresa] Ferraro [the public safety commissioner] and myself all want a stop sign there,” Busacco said. “But we can’t just put up a stop sign. If we put up an unauthorized stop sign there, we would be subjected to any claims that might occur. We want to do everything by the book. Now, we have to see what the state has to say.”
Sacco said that he has traveled the street several times since the radar detector has been in place and has yet to see anyone traveling faster than the 25 mile per hour speed limit.
“But that’s not saying that people don’t speed there,” Sacco said. “I agree with everyone that there is a valid reason that there should be a stop sign there. But it’s a hard thing to ask for. I am open to a discussion with the state. Can I guarantee it? No. They still may say no. But I think it’s a good idea. I want it and feel the need for it. We just haven’t been successful. I want to make the people feel happy and safe there. It’s their right.”
Busacco said that the engineering firm will continue the survey for the next few weeks to determine whether there is sufficient volume and enough of a danger to warrant the stop sign.