FROM THE BRIDGETON NEWS (Newhouse Newspapers)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
By AMANDA HAMM
Staff Writer
FAIRFIELD TWP. -- Main Street Fairton resident Lisa Morse has a Maple tree standing in her yard that is 150 years old.
Another one down the road is older than that, she remarked recently.
Morse is concerned that the trees' days may be numbered, however, thanks to a county proposed project to widen the street.
"They're planning on removing the existing curbing on the street, in addition to taking down the old tree (in her yard) and the one down the street," she said. "And we have no front yards to begin with. They're already so small because of all the widening that has happened over the years."
Morse said in addition to losing her tree, she is also concerned that the widening project will encourage more people to speed on the road.
"Speeding is such a problem now as it is," she said. "Widening the road will just invite more speeding."
Morse and other residents on the street first learned about the project several weeks ago.
Like Morse, most do not agree with the project and would like to see their yards maintained.
Homeowners have even started a petition opposing the project.
They attended a township meeting last week to try and address the problem, but because Main Street is a county road, the township does not hold jurisdiction.
Mayor Craig Thomas did offer that the township could appeal to the county, though, and suggest that they only repave the road, rather than widen it.
County Engineer Richard Gardella said Wednesday that he had heard there were residents opposed to the project.
He said the project would continue, however, because the road needs to be improved.
He said the project is being done with the residents' safety in mind.
"We're doing this for the safety of the people," Gardella said. "We're adding one to two feet to the shoulders so it will be safer if someone pulls over to the side of the road. This way, if they pull over, they will be completely off the road."
In addition to widening the road, Gardella said the road will be repaved and drainage will be added, along with other road safety features.
He acknowledged that the original plan involved the removal of three to four trees, but said because of residential opposition, that is being reconsidered.
Referring specifically to two trees located across from the Sunoco Gas station on the street, Gardella remarked, "I have said I will try my best to save the trees and go around them."