Page 4 • Wednesday , February 1 , 2023 • The Hammonton Gazette
Do any additional intersections need traffic lights in town ?
LIGHTS , from Page 1 prohibit any type of traffic movement because we ’ ve had some unfortunate incidents that occurred with people misnavigating the roadways when Egg Harbor Road was able to go green ,” Friel said .
Friel believed that it helped improve the safety of drivers on the road as it prohibited any sort of vehicular movement while the train was in the midst of that intersection and that the state is working with the New Jersey Transit to do improvements on that part of the intersection .
Mayor Stephen DiDonato stated that the town hasn ’ t come up with an intersection that warrants a traffic light and as of now have no plans to install a new traffic light .
“ We petitioned the county for a few traffic lights and they said that we didn ’ t have enough traffic count or enough issues for that intersection that warranted a light . I don ’ t know of any intersection right now that is a real critical intersection that warrants a light ,” DiDonato said .
Atlantic County 5th District Commissioner James A . Bertino said that it is up to the local municipalities to determine whether a county road or intersection is in need of a traffic light .
“ The police department would need to back up information and indicate that the public would be better suited if the light was installed ,” Bertino said .
Town councilman Steven Furgione stated that in order for the town to have more traffic lights that the first step is to have a cause or reason for it . Once the town has a reason for more traffic lights , it would go to Police Chief Kevin Friel to review and then go to the
New Jersey Department of Transportation ( NJDOT ) for approval .
“ So it ’ s not just ‘ hey , we want a traffic light because …’ there has to be a need for it , whether it ’ s accidents or increased traffic in intersections , it has to be warranted in order to move forward ,” Furgione said .
In terms of the notorious intersections where they see traffic accidents or incidents that residents should be careful of , Furgione urged residents to be cautious of the intersections heading into Central Avenue and although 14th Street is more rural , Furgione noticed an increase in speeding by cars and trucks since the roads were paved . Furgione also emphasized that the intersection at the corner of White Horse Pike Route 30 and Pleasant Mills Road is a bad intersection and Pleasant Mills Road will go to a one-way street .
“ You can no longer enter the Pike from Pleasant Mills Road , you have to go out to the traffic light in Seagrove Avenue but that ’ s a time consuming project because it involves the state , Route 30 , the county and Pleasant Mills Road so once we get notified of issues and there ’ s been plenty of issues there , that ’ s how we ’ ll tackle it but when you deal with county and state roads , that takes even longer ,”
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Furgione said .
DiDonato stated that the intersection on Chew Road and 12th Street is very concerning . A couple of four-way stops on Egg Harbor and Weymouth Road is also a cause for concern .
HPD , from Page 1 color vehicle traveling westbound on the White Horse Pike failing to maintain its lane of travel , Friel said .
The vehicle then made a right turn on Route 206 and then was subsequently stopped on Route 206 in the area of Middle Road , Friel said . The subject was identified as Christopher Giardelli , 30 , of Tabernacle , Friel said . “ He had an odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath and person ,” Friel said .
Giardelli was placed under arrest , transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with the following motor vehicle violations : driving while under the influence , reckless driving , careless driving , failure to maintain lane of travel , failure to possess his insurance card and open container of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle , Friel said .
He was released as per John ’ s Law pending a court appearance in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court , Friel said .
Friel said Ambrozaitis was the investigating and arresting officer , Friel said .
• On January 21 at 2:01 a . m . on the prime block of N . White Horse Pike ( Route 30 ), Officer Travis Hoffman observed a vehicle traveling westbound on the White Horse Pike failing to maintain its lane of travel , Friel said .
“ He conducted a motor vehicle stop in the prime block of N . White Horse Pike . The driver , a David Hays , 39 , of Mount Laurel , showed signs of impairment ,” Friel said .
He was placed under arrest , transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with the following motor vehicle violations : driving under the influence , careless driving , reckless driving , failure to maintain lane of travel , failure to possess his insurance card , failure to possess his registration and failure to inspect , Friel said .
Hays was released as per John ’ s Law pending a court appearance in Hammonton Joint Municipal
Friel added that the intersection on 3rd and Central Avenue is the intersection that most people have difficulty navigating and yielding .
“ I know that the town has talks with the county to try to renegotiate that intersection , whether it means changing traffic flow and pattern or changing the intersection completely . That ’ s definitely in the talks with the county to try and figure something out ,” Friel said .
HPD made several local arrests
Court , Friel said . Friel said Hoffman was the investigating and arresting officer .
• On January 22 at 3:13 a . m . on the 300 block of S . Egg Harbor Road , Officer Travis Hoffman observed a vehicle traveling westbound on S . Egg Harbor Road failing to maintain its lane of travel , Friel said .
He conducted a motor vehicle stop between the intersection of Maple Street and S . Egg Harbor Road , Friel said .
“ The vehicle entered a driveway in the 300 block of S . Egg Harbor Road and traveled to the rear of the residence ,” Friel said .
Upon making contact with the driver , Hoffman detected an odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from within the vehicle , Friel said .
Friel said the driver was identified as Orlin Alvarado , 19 , of Hammonton .
“ He was discovered to have an active warrant for $ 1,000 from Atlantic County ,” Friel said .
Alvarado was placed under arrest , transported to police headquarters for processing and released as per John ’ s Law with the following motor vehicle summonses : operation of a motor vehicle by a person who consumed alcoholic beverage underage ; careless driving , reckless driving , failure to maintain lane of travel , unlicensed driver and driving while suspended , Friel said .
He was released as per John ’ s Law and was released on his own recognizance on the warrant , Friel said .
Alvarado will be appearing in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court on the motor vehicle charges , Friel said .
Friel said Hoffman was the arresting and charging officer .
This report is comprised of arrests and investigations made by the men and women of local enforcement . All suspects and arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law .