WESTFIELD — One of Westfield’s busiest intersections could be seeing some major changes over the coming months, town officials said earlier this week.
The Westfield mayor and council introduced a new ordinance on Tuesday which, if approved, would convert the intersection of Clark Street and West Dudley Avenue into a fourway stop.
“I think this is going to be a positive change, but it will take people time to get used to it,” Councilman Mike Dardia said, speaking during the council’s public conference session. “Dudley has been a straight shot forever, so we’re really just going to have to work to communicate this change to the public.”
Town Administrator James Gildea said additional ordinances will be introduced over the coming weeks to convert two other intersections — one at Westfield Avenue and Park Street and the other at Summit Avenue and Clifton Street — into fourway stops as well. The town also intends to address a line-of-site issue on Grove Street and will implement a new, high-visibility law-enforcement campaign designed to curb speeding and reckless driving throughout the community.
The council also voted Tuesday to approve its $4,484,000 capital budget, which will be used in part to purchase new municipal vehicles and communications equipment, replace the roof and HVAC system at the Department of Public Works, install new amenities like benches, fences and tables at various parks, resurface multiple local roads and build a new playground at Memorial Park.
Mr. Gildea reminded residents that road-paving efforts have already begun around town and will likely continue through the coming months.
“Elizabethtown Gas is currently paving some of the roads that they worked on last year,” he said.
The utility company currently is working on sections of Scotch Plains Avenue, Dorian Road, Shadowlawn Drive, HyslipAvenue, Shackamaxon Drive, Knollwood Terrace, Grove Street and Nottingham Place. The first round of work is expected to wrap up within the next week.
“We have about 7.7 miles of road that the town or the county will be paving this year and another 12 miles that will be paved by the utilities,” Mr. Gildea continued.
Mr. Gildea also announced on Tuesday that the town’s Conservation Center has reopened for the season.
“We have a new program that enhances our textile recycling opportunities,” he said. “This new company that we’re working with not only takes clothing, but also takes accessories like belts, shoes, gloves, bed sheets, curtains and table linens.”
To view a list of scheduled road improvements, visit westfieldnj.gov.
