Officials to address safety along Rte. 571

Jurisdiction along roadway must be determined

BY JANE MEGGITT

Staff Writer

A recent fatality in Roosevelt has focused more attention on improving safety on the streets.

Anastazja Samfel, 57, was struck and killed late Saturday morning, on July 10, while walking along Route 571. The county road runs through the center of the borough.

At its July 12 meeting, the Borough Council discussed the need to repair and extend sidewalks along Route 571. Several sections that are paved have large tree roots underneath them, but much of the road has no sidewalks. Samfel had been walking along a section of the road where there were none.

Councilman Daniel Hoffman said that before any action can be taken, officials must determine what the borough’s responsibility is along the road, since the county has jurisdiction over Route 571.

"From a certain footage on 571, they may want us to deal with it," he said.

Mayor Neil Marko said that the sidewalks should be repaired and extended all the way to the end of the borough, and that residents should have a designated place to walk.

"It’s a real problem," he stated. "We need to find out who owns the sidewalks and who is responsible [for them]."

Councilwoman Pat Moser said the Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission, which originally planted the trees along the roadside where the roots have damaged the pavement, was no longer taking responsibility for the sidewalks.

Many members of the commission said that the focus should be placed on getting drivers to slow down through the borough.

"The problem isn’t people walking — it’s people speeding," Hoffman said.

Walking down Route 571 at 4 p.m. is to "take your life into your hands," according to Marko.

Resident Michael Tictin suggested asking the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to hold one of its monthly meetings in the borough in order to discuss safety issues.

"It would be nice to let [board members] stand at the intersection and see what the [traffic] is like," Hoffman added.

Samfel’s daughter, Anna Fenerty, said later that many residents walk and ride their bicycles through town.

"I didn’t think it was a problem. Everybody walks in Roosevelt," Fenerty continued.

"I could never expect anything like this to happen, [although] people drive way too fast through town," she added.