Twp. to put traffic safety signs in high-traffic areas
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - Residents will now see an abundance of traffic safety signs throughout the township with the placement of 30 "Be Kind" signs near schools and high-traffic areas last week as part of the traffic safety sign program dedicated to former Mayor Frank G. Pelzman.

"This is a unique traffic-safety effort and will serve as a reminder to motorists to slow down and be considerate as they drive through Woodbridge," said Mayor John E. McCormac at a press conference announcing the posting of the signs on April 24 at Avenel Middle School.

The sign program is a partnership between teachers and students at 11 township schools - Ford Avenue School No. 14 in Fords, Indiana Avenue School No. 18 in Iselin, Ross Street School No. 23 in Woodbridge, Woodbine Avenue School No. 23 in Avenel, Menlo Park Terrace School No. 19, Matthew Jago School No. 28 in Sewaren, Avenel Middle School, Colonia Middle School, Woodbridge High School, JFK High School in Iselin, and Colonia High School - and parents, with motor vehicle drivers working together to make township streets safer.

"With the arrival of spring and the blossoming of flowers, new 'Be Kind' traffic signs will blossom in and around school zones and busy thoroughfares throughout the township," said McCormac.

The "Be Kind" traffic sign campaign started in 2003 when students from the Colonia Middle School Service Learning Club designed the signs in conjunction with Kindness International Inc. as part of their statewide Kindness Awareness campaign. The first four signs were placed on Inman Avenue.

"I am overwhelmed that the 'Be Kind' sign campaign has grown into a township-wide, student-initiated program," said Council President Brenda Yori Velasco. "As importantly, former Mayor Frank Pelzman and his wife, Dorothy, supported the 'Be Kind' program by announcing the placement of the very first sign on Inman Avenue. By reminding drivers to take extra time and extra care as they drive through the township and our residential neighborhoods, we are saving lives and preventing accidents."

Township School Superintendent Vincent Smith said the program is encouraging for the students.

"This project demonstrated that students are aware of traffic, pedestrian safety and speeding drivers and that they will work to find solutions to the dangerous situation," he said.

On April 10, the township became the third town in Middlesex County to participate in the countywide Slow Down in Our Town pedestrian safety campaign. The bright yellow lawn signs, which depict two children playing catch with their pet dog as a car approaches, were placed along Barron Avenue, which is the neighborhood surrounding Woodbridge Middle School.

The 75 parent-teacher organizations have agreed to spearhead the lawn-sign program by raising funds to purchase additional signs and by distributing the signs to parents and families who volunteer to place the signs in their front yards or areas facing traffic.