The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to AskTheMayor@thelakewoodscoop.com.
Question:
Hi
I’m wondering why the traffic light at Clover to Cedarbridge is green for only about 6+ seconds long?
I had turned onto Clover to take a short cut and there was a long line of cars pretty far down from the light. As I slowly inched forward I discovered that the long line was due to the fact that the green light was so short and only a few cars had a chance to go until the next green light. It seemed really not proportionate and was quite clear why traffic was building up. It took multiple light changes until we got to the light. So much for my shortcut idea.
Thanks.
Response from Mayor Coles:
I will ask the county engineer to look at the timing sequences.
Ray
Question:
Hi Mr. Mayor,
I am wondering if we can work the following out to ease up traffic going down the 88 towards New Hampshire. In the morning hours it is bumper to bumper from Clover. Is it possible to have a fork installed for vehicles making a right turn onto New Hampshire (which is the majority of the vehicles going down the 88) to ease up the traffic? This will allow vehicles going straight down the 88 not to sit in the backup. As you can see in the image below there is one by New Hampshire for vehicles making a right onto the 88. I also put a picture of Route 88 to show there is plenty of room to install this fork. I am hoping we can do this.
Response from Mayor Coles:
I believe the county is currently working on a redesign of this intersection.
Ray
Question:
Hi I live on east fourth street and menetta when ever there rain we have lots of flooding the drains are on the wrong side of the road when the kids walk down the block even days later they get soaked from the passing cars we contacted the TOWNSHIP in the past and we’re told that they know of the issue and it is a very expensive fix at this point. The TOWNSHIP is getting ready to repave our streets. I know that it will be hopeless to get this fixed once that is done is there anyway to make sure that this is being done before they repave so we can solve this issue once and for all?
Thanks
Response from Mayor Coles:
Good afternoon
Part of the paving plan includes improving the drainage in the area.
The plans are currently being drafted, and we hope to pave sometime in the spring of 2025.
Ray
Question:
To the honorable mayor,
Driving down chase street I noticed signs stating that street parking is only for 101 chase.
Is this a public street? Is this legal.
A second question is why are we giving businesses and commercial property owners tax abatements?
Response from Mayor Coles:
Good morning
Chase is a private street, and they have the right to limit parking there.
Tax Abatements are one of the reasons that Lakewood has such a vibrant business community. Many folks improperly assume they are a giveaway to the property owner. In reality, that vast benefits from these abatements go to the tenants who rent the space. It is a good way for a building owner to attract tenants. In my case, when I started my business 37 years ago, we went into a building which had just been completed and was granted a tax abatement, The monthly savings for the first couple of years was a great help to a new business owner who was just starting from scratch.
Ray
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Lakewood has vibrant business community because people have children and those children grow up and create jobs/work jobs. Maybe they should give property tax abatements to those with children.
Let’s call the abatements what they are; a tax on the people, and a transfer of wealthy from the people to the wealthy.
Stop gifting businesses money at the expense of us common folk
The problem turning onto Cedarbridge from Route 88 is that there is only one lane for making a left turn, and the right turning lane is nearly always empty. If making a left would be legal from both lanes, 12 cars would be able to get through a light instead of 6, and you would not have to change the timing at all.
The reason the right turning lane is empty is because you are allowed to turn on red. If you allow both lanes to turn left, you will be backing it up even more because the car that needs to turn right may very well be sitting behind some cars waiting to turn left and will have to wait for the light.
Tax abatements help the building owners make more profits. They do not pass the savings on to the tenants.
The tenants in most of these buildings are established businesses too!
Regardless a local town should not be giving away town tax dollars. The state or federal who tax the businesses are the ones that should give out these type of tax incentives. Tax Abatements are meant to stir economic growth in an area that requires revitalization. A Mayor is supposed to represent the towns taxpayers. The town cannot afford these tax breaks.