Dayton Residents up in Arms Over Rat Problem "We Should Know in a Couple of Route 522 Construction Days," He Said
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Medical Choices That's entertainment Keep up with the latest news Find out what's happening in your The Roaring'JXi* MERCHANDISE CLASSIFIED (private party only) in medicine region this week $ lJf | 4 Lines • 4 Weeks 20°° L (each Additional line $5.()0) some restrictions apply Page 22 Page 28 1-800-660-4ADS Serving South Brunswick Sentinel VOLUME 6, NUMBER 30 MAY 20,1999 ceiiTs Dayton residents up in arms over rat problem "We should know in a couple of Route 522 construction days," he said. suspected source; Health ^Inspectors identified rat burrow holes around house foundations and sheds and Department issues alert in some case in yards!) BY CHARLES W. KIM /According to Papenberg, the depart- Staff Writer ment is concerned about the spread of or Dayton Center residents, it was disease by the rats as well as the poten-_ like a bad science fiction movie. tial for people to be bitten by the rodents. 1 A number of residential properties "They don't normally carry rabies,' F Papenberg said, noting, "There have in the Dayton Center I development off Georges Road were found to be infested been very few ral-rclated disease out- with rats last week. breaks in the state." Residents suspect the problem may Township health inspectors went door be caused by recent construction of sec- to door in the 200-home community tion II of Route 522 that runs between looking for the furry invaders after Dayton Center I and Dayton Center II, numerous calls from residents. Reconstructed portions of the major The inspections started last Thursday cast-west connector road are already and are continuing, according to open, and section II is tentatively sched- Assistant Township Manager Richard uled to open this summer. Kunze. ^.Inspectors arc now checking adjacent Kunze said Monday that the inspec- developments to sec if the problem has tors would also be checking the adjacent spread.j developments to sec if they also have a problem. /Township Health Department Director Stephen Papenberg said According to Papenberg, inspections JACKIE POLLACK Tuesday that the total number of residen- at the neighboring East Garden apart- Kellie Dillon of Virginia spins cotton candy at the South Brunswick YMCA's annual tial properties infested is still being ment complex and Liberty Mall next to fund-raising carnival Tuesday night at Crossroads Middle School on Kingston determined."? Lane. The event continues through Sunday night. Continued on page 9 Route 522 section worries Special report;: Year-round echool South Brunswick residents our Homeowners Association meeting last Dayton residents raise Friday," Marc Drive resident Jill Mayfield safety, other concerns told the council, regarding the homeowners' concerns about the new section. at council meeting LDayton Center residents have also been BY CHARLES W. KIM dealing with rat infestation, a problem some Staff Writer think may be connected to the nearby road construction. I " ot all residents will cheer the open- .„ MayfielcTtold the council that she was ing of a section of Route 522. |fe.arful of the road's proximity to rear lot N ([Residents of both South Brunswick lines in the development, which in some Dayton Center developments, I and II, are casgs is only 15 feetT] voicing concerns about section II of the /j'The quality of life will be greatly affect- roadway which may open next monthjf ed,"/MayfieId said of the road's opening. About 15 residents were allowed to Residents addressing the council said speak at Tuesday night's Township Council that they are fearful that the traffic on the AUGUSTO F. MENEZES meeting. This week's Sentinel provides a close-up look at year-round education, an issue "We just threw ourselves together after Continued on page 8 that is being hotly debated in South Brunswick. See pages 15-21. 2 SENTINEL, MAY 20, 1999 Health e Nation The Robert Wood Johnson Health Network. When we introduced our 15/30 y JW Emergency Room Guarantee "*} last year, we told oui O patients they would see a jm nurse within 15 minuies i ot theit airival, and a 4fy doctor within 30... or we 4+ %• would pay the Emeigency Room bill! One year later, we're proud to leport that 98% of emergency room patients are seen within the promised time. Of couisc, life threatening emergencies are always treated immediately. The Robert Wood Johnson Health Network is the only health network in the nation to actually guarantee timely, responsive care. And with our affiliation with the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, you can be assured of only the finest medical care. Many health networks promise quick response. But only one guarantees it. The Robert Wood Johnson Health Network. HEALTHWETWORKI The Robert Wood Johnson Health Network: Bayshore Community Hospital, CentraState Healthcare System, Rahway Hospital* Raritan Bay Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton. Warren Hospital1" and UIMDMJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medica! School *Rahway Hospital and Wanen Hospital aie not yet paiticipating in the program Piogram guidelines may differ based upon U.ILII hdspil.il's pnln v Ini pioi;i,nii mipli SENTINEL, MAY 20, 1 999 3 Assembly bill seeks to squash Route 32 tolls BY CHARLES W. KIM Stall Wnln SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A bill has been introduced in Trenton that would ' J prohibit the New Jersey Turnpike Authority from collecting tolls on Route 92. The Assembly bill, A-3137, was inlio- duced Monday, according to John Bourgarian, a spokesperson foi the Department of Transportation. The bill was introduced by Assembly members Alex Decroce (R-26), represent- JACKIh POLLACK ing paits ol Essex, Morris, and Passaic Dayton residents Najum Junaid, 3, and dad Mohommad enjoy a squirt gun counties, and Francis L. Bodino (R-8), game at the YMCA carnival on Kingston Lane in South Brunswick Tuesday. representing parts of Atlantic Burlington, and Canulen counties. Turnpike Executive Director Edward Looking for something to do? Gross could not be reached for comment. Check out The Entertainer. Route 92 is a proposed 6.7 mile east- Page 28 Panel to suggest 30-31 % west connector road between Route 1 and turnpike interchange 8A. • Classifieds Page 36 The highly controversial project, council salary increases which has an estimated price tag of $350 •Editorials Page 12 million, is currently being reviewed by • Entertainment . .Page 28 living since the municipal salaries were last the Army Corps of Engineers, since the Task force may also increased in 1990. Turnpike Authority needs a permit to fill •Letters Page 12 recommend eliminating "I have lesearched that 29 is a good 14 acres of piotected wetlands. • Marketplace . .Page 34 number over the nine-year period," According to the proposed bill, "The health benefits Gopstein said. • Milestones Page 14 project shall remain forever toll lice." BY CHARLES W. KIM The mayor and council voted themselves 40 and 47 percent pay raises, respectively, In a statement of explanation included • Obituaries Page 31 Stall Witter on Feb. 2, but repealed them March 18 after in the proposed legislation, the measure -Police Beat Page 10 SOUTII BRUNSWICK — The Citizens 1,600 residents signed a petition to put the would encourage through traffic to use • Sports Page 32 Budget Advisory Task Force that is review- increase to a public vole. the road, reducing traffic on local roads. ing the compensation package for the mayor The panel is also looking at eliminating "By insuring that the proposed new and Township Council may be recommend- paid health benefits for the elected officials limited-access highway is forever toll ing a salary increase coupled with the elimi- effective Jan. 1. free, there would be no incentive for such nation of paid health benefits. According to a draft of the panel's turnpike-related traffic to use local roads Phone numbers: The panel, which is scheduled to make report, members of the governing hotly will to avoid paying a toll," the bill slates. its recommendations at Tuesday's Township no longer have their benefits paid by the This bill, according to the authors, Editorial 254-7000 Ext. 8226 Council meeting, has been evaluating the township, but will be able to purchase the FAX 254-0486 compensation packages received by mem- plan if they so choose. would alleviate traffic congestion, air bers of the governing body since the council As the panel went through the proposal, quality problems, and unwanted noise Display Advertising 972-6740 repealed a controversial pay raise ordinance. the main discussion focused on expenses levels in the communities surrounding FAX 972-6746 The council will have to approve any that would be reimbursed to the members. interchange 8A change. Assistant Township Manager Richard The bill comes n the heels of the Classified 1-800-660-4ADS The panel held a work session Thursday Kunze informed the panel that there was authority's recent announcement of a pro- Classified FAX 432-0016 night to go through its presentation. already a process in place for expenses. posed two-part loll increase on the turn- "This (proposal) may change before the The panel also is looking at increasing pike over the next three years. Delivery problems? final presentation," task force member Herb the mileage rate for municipal officials from The authority said that part of the rev- Call circulation at 254-1755 Gopstein cautioned, "but this is how we are 21 cents to 30 cents a mile. enue raised by the increase will go to fund before noon on Friday. leaning." That change may also be recommended the Route 92 project, if the corps grants a In a rough draft of the proposal, the task for all municipal employees. force may recommend increasing the The panel will not be meeting again wetlands permit, and other improvements.