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September 22, 2018 – September 29, 2018
Disabled Man Sent Violation Notice for Having Carport Amid Crackdown
By Douglas Staff Writer
Not So Fast!
Photo By Joe Giuliani
Hawkin Road Residents Upset Over Speed-Limit Increase By Douglas D. Melegari
Staff Writer
SOUTHAMPTON—A speed limit increase on a back road that spans three Pinelands municipalities, and is notorious for deadly crashes, is drawing fierce criticism from some of its residents, many who have lived there for nearly two-decades or more. As the criticism intensifies, one governing body is considering a reversal of its decision. Hawkin Road has been well known to locals, and those seeking a Route 70 shortcut, for having a decades-long, strictly enforced 25-mph speed limit from Carranza Road in Tabernacle Township to Skeet Road in Medford Township, with Southampton Township in-between. As residents of the road have pointed out, the thoroughfare is often crossed by deer, is narrow without much of
a shoulder, has numerous school bus stops and is only within inches of some telephone poles. But, last year, Medford Council and the Southampton Township Committee began moving on a longtime request from Steve Urgo, an attorney residing in Southampton, to increase the road’s speed limit. Public records indicate that the two townships expedited Urgo’s request after he threatened litigation, alleging the two municipalities were not in compliance with state-mandated regulations and procedures. Medford and Southampton, as they considered adjusting the speed limit for their respective stretches of Hawkin Road, each conducted a traffic study. Both studies ended up recommending an increased speed limit. T h e S o u t h a m p t o n To w n s h i p Committee voted unanimously on May 15 to adopt an ordinance increasing the
speed limit of Hawkin Road to 45 mph from the Medford/Southampton line to an area of overhead power lines that are just west of Independence Way. That same ordinance also increased the speed limit on Hawkin Road to 40 mph from the area of overhead power lines to the Tabernacle/Southampton line. Medford Council, on June 6, followed suit and also unanimously passed a measure increasing the speed limit on Hawkin Road to 35 mph between East Raymond Avenue and the Medford/ Southampton Line. At the time, both measures passed with no public comment as legal notices announcing governing body consideration got little attention and neither municipality, according to numerous residents, bothered sending a courtesy letter to those who reside on Hawkin Road announcing a public See SAFETY/ Page 12
D. Melegari
PEMBERTON—A disabled retiree living in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township is hoping the municipality’s code enforcement officer and Council have mercy on him after he was given a notice of violation last month as part of a town-wide carport crackdown. “I am a little stressed out right now because I am not only retired, but disabled, and I got a letter from the township’s code enforcement officer that he has a problem with my carport,” said David Kulpa, of Elm Drive, at a Pemberton Township Council meeting earlier this month. Car por ts, according to Mayor David Patriarca, are a non-permitted use in the municipality. “Whether council elects to change our zoning laws, or not, that is strictly up to them,” said Patriarca of the carport ban. “But, currently, it is a non-permitted use and it is a violation of the law to have one.” Kulpa said he learned that it was against the law to have a carport only after he had one erected on his property six months ago to assist with his disability and received the subsequent violation notice. “One of the main reasons I had it erected six months ago was I have one, maybe two, different doctor’s appointments I have to make during the week,” he said. “During the colder months of the year, it is tough for me to get out there to try and scrape any ice off the windows. If there is snow, it is tough for me to shovel it. By my car having some protection, it means there is a lot less for me to deal with.” Kulpa added that the company that erected it checked with the township beforehand to see if a permit was required. He said the company advised him that the municipality did not require a permit for it. “They just told you that they did not need a permit,” Patriarca said. “’We couldn’t get a permit.’ is what they should have told you because it is a non-permitted use.” Kulpa, who called himself a “good taxpayer” and discussed how he enjoyed living in Pemberton, said all carports, including his, should be exempt from zoning laws because they are temporary structures that do not require electricity, heating and lighting. “It stands on its own,” he said. “I would love to continue my retirement and pass away here, but if I ever have to move, for any reason, including health reasons, I would take that with me and hence this is why it is a temporary structure. I could have it dismantled and take it with me.” See VIOLATION/ Page 11
INDEX Automotive................... 19 Business Directory....... 16 Community..................... 9 Fall Home & Garden.....S1
Gardening Column....... 14 Marketplace.................. 18 Health........................... 10 Opinion........................... 7 Hobbyist....................... 15 Worship Directory........... 9 Local News..................... 4
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