Iselin residents sound off on many problems
Development, traffic, noise and garbage some of concerns cited
BY KATHY CHEN
Staff Writer

KATHY CHANG Eleven homes are currently being built at the intersection of Berkley Boulevard and Middlesex Essex Turnpike in Iselin.

'Help, I'm stuck in Iselin and I can't get out." That was resident Carl Christensen's take on traffic and development in the section of town he has lived in since 1939.

Christensen was one of more than 200 residents who went to the Iselin Middle School on Sept. 7 to attend the first of many community "visioning" meetings on changes to the township's master plan.

The meetings are part of a $60,000 initiative to explore the township's business districts and the surrounding residential areas.

"Fifteen years ago, Iselin used to be a sleepy little town with mom-and-pop stores," said Christensen, who has been a fireman with the Iselin Fire Department No. 1 for 40 years. "Over the past 12 years, it has flourished. The businesses have brought money in, but it has brought other problems with it."

Iselin is the third most populated section of Woodbridge, with 16,698 residents in 3.1 square miles, according to the U.S. 2000 census. Fred Heyer and Susan S. Gruel, principals in the New Brunswick planning firm Heyer, Gruel & Associates, moderated the meeting.

The planning firm worked with the late Mayor Frank G. Pelzman and the Township Council last year when they provided recommendations for the Sewaren section of town.

"This is a tough town," Heyer said after the meeting.

Residents had a myriad of complaints, which included traffic congestion; inadequate parking for the strip malls on Oak Tree Road; double parking on Oak Tree Road; the lack of cleanliness on Oak Tree Road, and the constant development in Iselin.

"There is congestion on Oak Tree Road all the time," said Theresa Padilla.

Residents said there are traffic problems everywhere, but specifically at the intersections of Magnolia and Oak Tree roads; Correja and Harding avenues; Route 27 and Wood Avenue, Oak Tree Road, and Correja Avenue; and Middlesex Essex Turnpike and Green Street.

"The [township] administration should spend a week living here," said Angel Pachana, who has lived on Magnolia Road for 16 years. The speed limit on her street ranges from 15 to 25 mph.

"I've seen traffic become worse and worse," she said. "Something needs to be done. It's a shame because I feel like they are waiting for someone to be killed before they do something."

Many motorists who come off the Garden State Parkway from Exit 131 "fly up" Magnolia Road, going 40 to 50 mph, Pachana said.

"They think they are still on the parkway," she said. "This is dangerous for the children. A car hit one of my neighbor's children when she was getting off the bus because cars do not yield to the school bus law. My little black poodle got ran over twice by someone and they didn't even stop."

Pachana said more parkway entrances are needed on Inman Avenue and New Dover Road, which run through Colonia and North Edison.

Ellen Ghiano has trouble getting out of her own driveway.

"If you want to visit me, don't come by from 7 to 9:30 a.m., don't come by from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and don't come by from 3 to 7 p.m. and don't try to walk because there is no sidewalk," she said.

Mahesh Swali, who lived in Iselin for 17 years before moving to Edison, said the traffic problem has not been addressed for 25 years.

The discussion also focused on the Oak Tree Road business district, which is comprised mostly of South Asian food, sweets, clothing, jewelry and music stores.

The South Asian stores have attracted visitors from towns all over New Jersey, and other states.

"People from out of town come onto Oak Tree Road and they are rude," said Gerry D'Agostino, who has lived in Iselin for 30 years. "There will be a car in front of you and they will do a U-turn right in front of you. I'm surprised that there are not many more accidents."

When Patel Food Market, which is near the intersection with Magnolia Road, had its grand opening on May 26, the store offered heavily discounted prices. In response Patel's Cash and Carry across the street slashed its prices as well.

The result was massive traffic and congestion as hundreds of customers swarmed both stores for bargains. Patel Food Market was also cited for numerous health and fire code violations, all of which have since been corrected, officials said.

The lack of cleanliness in the business district was another problem residents complained about.

"No offense, but Iselin does stink," said Gerry Trabalka. "When I ride my bike around, there are dirty diapers laying on the street and dead rats."

Marian Banken, who lives on Magnolia Road, said Oak Tree Road should look like downtown Metuchen.

"There are handfuls of garbage on the street," she said. "I can't have barbecues in my back yard because of the smell. I don't know what's going to help, all I can think of is to get into a time machine and set it backwards."

Carol Stetz said she is ashamed to say that she lives in Iselin.

"I don't pay my taxes to look at houses that people don't take care of," she said.

Millie Ruggiero said she can't sit outside of her house anymore.

"I loved the street I lived on [Wright Street] until garbage was thrown all over the place," she said. "It's a mess and people need to manicure their grass."

Residents complained about illegal housing and constant development in Iselin.

"All you're doing is building, building, building, and you're squeezing us out," said Steve Szymanski, who lives on Plymouth Drive. "Where's the quality of life?"

Eleven homes are currently being built at the intersection of Middlesex Essex Turnpike and Berkeley Boulevard.

"Why was this permitted?" asked Swali. "It's unreal. The root of the cause goes back to the politicians in Woodbridge. They shouldn't create new problems. They need to go out see what's going on."

Christensen, who lives across the street from the eleven homes, said the houses don't conform to the neighborhood.

"The whole area is becoming overcrowded," he said. "The houses are not necessary. These houses will bring in one to three children. It's because of poor planning and it's putting a strain on Woodbridge."

D'Agostino said the township needs ordinances to stop growth in Iselin.

"People are moving away," she said. "The Township Council and the people have to work together.

Residents also complained about one-family homes becoming two-family homes.

"Every one-family home with a basement becomes a two-family home," said Linda Torsiello. "All of a sudden it seems it's OK for it to become a two-family home. You can rent out your bathroom in Iselin now. There has been nothing done and it just gets worse."

State Sen. and Interim Mayor Joseph F. Vitale and Council President Patricia Osborne are currently drafting an ordinance to address single-family rental homes.

"The ordinance will allow us to provide an oversight for single-family rental homes and make sure they are in compliance and their capacity is met," said Vitale. "Currently there are no ordinances for single-family or two-family homes."

Susan Gruel of the planning firm, thought the meeting went well.

"We received a lot of input," she said. "Within the next month, we will draft a list of issues we received tonight and provide a vision of the area. Then we will have another meeting that will allow for additional public input. I look forward to the following meeting."

Christensen said he has accepted what has become of Iselin.

"We [Christensen and his wife Betsey] had considered moving," he said. "But we have Metro Park that links us to Newark Airport that can bring us anywhere, the post office, and the firehouse, which is my home away from home. Everything I need is here and I have accepted what it is. But there are ways to alleviate the problems."

Residents can e-mail Susan Gruel and Fred Heyer more suggestions at mail@hgapa.com.