BERKELEY – Batteries will be installed on traffic lights at select major intersections so that they will remain functioning even during a blackout, officials said.
These batteries will be on 11 lights on Mule Road, Dover Road, Pinewald-Keswick Road, and Western Boulevard, Chief Kevin Santucci said.
The chief said that when a traffic light goes out, the department sends an officer to conduct traffic for the duration. This means there are less officers on hand to help in any other situation that might arise. This is particularly important if the blackout was caused by a major storm or another emergency that might require police to help residents in need.
Mayor John Bacchione said the batteries will be paid for by funds acquired from the sale of property forfeited during drug arrests.
“We’re trying to save as much money as we can,” he said.
In other traffic news, Holiday City resident Ann Tritak-Elmiger asked the governing body if there’s been any update on her request for a traffic light at the corner of Jamaica Boulevard and Nostrand Drive. She lives near there and said there’s been four close calls in the last month.
The Jamaica and Nostrand intersection in the Holiday City area of Berkeley has a history of accidents. Both streets wind through the senior development, and smaller streets empty onto them, leading to a high volume of traffic. Additionally, Nostrand turns into Bimini Drive, which leads to Route 37. Both roads are important arteries carrying a lot of traffic every day.
While there is a blinking stop sign, residents claim this is not enough to prevent the dangerous activity.
Business Administrator Jay Delaney said that township officials have begun discussion with county officials on whether there should be a light, since the county’s authority supersedes local on county roads.
At a previous Township Council meeting, the mayor and council voiced support for installing a light but warned that the process could take years.
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