The Alternative Press

CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ - Residents from each of the Chathams told the township committee Thursday night that they have serious safety concerns about a middle school drop-off site.

Andrea Harris of Chatham Township and Susan Robertson of Chatham Borough both attended the meeting to alert committee members to the issues at the intersection of Longwood Avenue and Fairmont Avenue.

Longwood is the division line of the township and borough and leads to a corner where it meets Fairmont. As the school bus travels on its route to the middle school, it stops at this intersection, however it stops on the opposite side of the street than where the students congregate and wait. The women said this causes great concern as the children are crossing the large busy street while hasty drivers rush to make a left turn out of Longwood onto Fairmont in hopes of being ahead of the bus. One of the woman spoke of nearly being hit several times as she attempted
to safely help the children cross.

Photos of the area have been sent to the township administrator and the township committee in the hopes that a solution can be found before an accident occurs.

In other business, the committee discussed the new health care plan being provided for township employees. This discussion was connected to Committee Resolution 2012-171 Limiting Medical Plans offered Under SHBP, which was ultimately passed by the board. At this time, only the 15 administrative township employees are being affected.

Committee members discussed their reasons for not considering two of the possible health care providers from the potential list of candidates. They also discussed why the state’s health benefits plan that is offered to municipal governments might be the best option. No action was taken.