Clinton Township Newsletter

2 A u g u s t 2 0 1 7 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com www.RetireStrategically.com Don't Just Retire... Retire Strategically. Mark Chioda Managing Director/CEO • Income Planning • Insurance • Social Security Planning • Annuities • LTC ...and more! Call 908.797.3881 We'll Make Your Money Work For You! retirement planning services Shirley (Sherry) Havens CRS, GRI, SRES ® Sales Associate Because the Right Realtor Really Makes the Difference. Questions About Real Estate? Ask Sherry Over 30 Years Serving Huntercon, Somerset, Warren and Morris Counties cell: 908.507.4927 office: 908.735.8080, ext. 145 shirleyhavens@gmail.com sherryhavens.com OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE 178 CENTER ST. – UNIT 2A AVAILABLE, CLINTON, NJ Professional office space available for lease. Located at the edge of Historic Clinton with quick access to I-78, Routes 31 and 22. 1,440 SF. Elevator opens to reception/large staff office, 2nd private office, conference room, break room w/kitchenette, bath. $17.50SF NNN Call for details: 908.735.6160 Dear Editor, "Train Horns and Some Background" Reading recent Letters to the Editor brought back memories of some efforts I made in 2008 to have the Clinton Township Committee investigate and submit an application for a "Quiet Zone" designation for the railroad crossings in our Township, thereby returning them to a "No Horn" status. That personal effort did not lead to any Township effort, although I believe a very good case could have been made for elimination of the horn requirement at our crossings (Hamden and Kiceniuk Roads). As to background, after Norfolk Southern Railroad took over the declining Lehigh Line in 1999, the frequency, car count and locomotive size (and horn volume) grew to higher levels than in previous years. Then in 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration changed the rules for horn blowing at road crossings, given the high incidence of gate-jumping accidents, particularly in the Western States. ALL road crossings, regardless of whether the required warning and safety features were in place, would require that the warning horn blasts be given by any approaching train. Prior to that time, the crossings in Clinton Township were deemed fully compliant and there was no horn blowing unless possible obstructions were apparent. The crossings at Stanton Station (Readington Township) and Lansdowne Road (Franklin Township) did not comply even before the new regulation and they had horn signals before and after the change. The option was given to municipalities to seek a "Quiet Zone" exemption, with particular deference given to previously-compliant crossings (grandfathering). A few years ago, the Lansdowne Road crossing was upgraded to compliance and there is now no requirement for horn blowing at that location. I still think our Township should request and could receive a "Quiet Zone" designation if the effort is engaged. I understand that in 2010 Hillsborough Township in Somerset County was successful in obtaining this designation for farther down the Lehigh Line. Before 2005, I believe there was no routine horn blowing at our crossings, just more train activity than in prior decades. Sincerely – Bruce C. Hoffman Dear Bruce – Thank you so much for your informative (and diplomatic) input about the ongoing train horn discussion amongn some of our residents. We're happy to provide the forum for this discussion, and hope that a resolution will satisfy all parties. – Editor 185 Center St., Clinton 735.4499 Locally Owned and Operated by Phil & Diane Koury Proudly Serving Hunterdon County Since 1988

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