Sometimes it’s appropriate to fight city hall

I got a ticket.

I parked in front of my house on October 10th and I got a summons for doing so.

The summons alleges that I violated  Ordinance 36-12.1 — PROHIBITED PARKING AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT SAT, SUN, HOLIDAY

And in fact, I admit that is the correct ordinance for my block (the code is now text searchable, so it’s easy to find).
I will also admit that the correct signage exists (my car was parked right under the sign). Continue reading “Sometimes it’s appropriate to fight city hall”

Shepard Ave Traffic Study and Police Reports

The Teaneck Police Department was asked to conduct a report as to traffic and safety on Larch Avenue (in the area of Terhune Street).

Here are the findings:

On Monday, April 25, 2022, the Traffic Bureau was asked to conduct a speed survey on Shepard Avenue. This request was prompted by a Shepard Avenue resident, Gina McCullars, who was concerned about a speeding problem.

A site survey determined that Shepard Avenue is a twenty-five-mile-per-hour two-lane Continue reading “Shepard Ave Traffic Study and Police Reports”

Elm Ave Traffic Study and Police Reports

The Teaneck Police Department was asked to conduct a report as to traffic and safety on Larch Avenue (in the area of Terhune Street).

Here are the findings:

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, the Traffic Bureau was asked to conduct a speed survey on Elm Avenue. This request was prompted by an Elm Avenue resident, Juanita Brown, who was concerned about a speeding problem. Ms. Brown attended a council meeting to address her concerns about speeding on Elm Avenue.

A site survey determined that Elm Avenue is a twenty-five-mile-per-hour two-lane roadway that runs Continue reading “Elm Ave Traffic Study and Police Reports”

User-Friendly Ordinances: Let’s Focus on Making Government Easier to Figure Out

If you have ever gone to look in Section 36 (Prohibited Parking) of our code, to see what parking regulations are on a particular block, you probably needed patience and possibly, luck.

Let’s face it — our code wasn’t written for convenience or you, as the end-user (subject to its strictures).

Has anyone in the history of time ever wondered where you are prohibited from parking except for 8am to 6pm excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays (Sec. 36-17), as distinct from where you are prohibited during those hours except (only) Sundays and Holidays (Sec. 36-16)?

If so, now you know.  But seriously… who thought this was the best way to make a code?

A User-Friendly Approach

It took the better part of two years to update our code, as decades of Council changes were never appropriately updated in a cohesive manner.  But we are now at a point, where you can know what the Township Ordinances that apply to you, actually say.

So, without changing ANY regulations, I’ve drafted an ordinance that makes a relevant part of the code user-friendly.  My proposed ordinance, which can be found in our agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting, combines Sections 36-13 through 36-20.5.

These changes let anyone see, at a glance:

  • each street
  • in alphabetical order, along with
  • the applicable parking regulation

The section on the right, below is what I’ll be pitching to Council to adopt on Tuesday.

And if these are well received, I plan on doing more of them.  What sections would you like to have me handle first?
Have suggestions?  Email me

(Residents (and others) should be able to glance at the ordinance sections and see what is relevant to them) Continue reading “User-Friendly Ordinances: Let’s Focus on Making Government Easier to Figure Out”

Washington Place Traffic Study and Police Reports

The Teaneck Police Department was asked to conduct a report as to traffic and safety on Washington Place.

Here are the findings:

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the Traffic Bureau was asked to conduct a speed survey on Washington Place. This request was prompted by a resident’s email that claimed that there was a speeding problem and that vehicles were traveling the wrong way on a one-way street. Continue reading “Washington Place Traffic Study and Police Reports”

East Tryon Avenue Traffic Study and Police Reports

The Teaneck Police Department was asked to conduct a report as to traffic and safety on East Tryon Avenue (between Teaneck Road and Crescent Avenue).

Here are the findings:

On Tuesday, August 25, 2020, the Traffic Bureau was asked to conduct a speed survey on East Tryon Avenue between Teaneck Road and Crescent Avenue. This request was prompted by an East Tryon Avenue resident that was concerned about a speeding problem. The resident stated their concerns in an email to Councilman Keith Kaplan. Continue reading “East Tryon Avenue Traffic Study and Police Reports”

Suez Service Work Schedule for July, 2020

SUEZ Work Schedule

Please be advised that SUEZ will be working on Test Pits, Saw Cutting, and Services throughout the Township over the next 2 weeks beginning Monday, July 20th.

You can find this information on the Township Website here: Suez Work Schedule

You can find the same information on the map and chart below (enter address to search)

Continue reading “Suez Service Work Schedule for July, 2020”

What would you prefer: Concrete vs Blacktop?

Some roads in town are concrete.  Others are blacktop.  Every now and then, you’ll find one that’s still gravel.

What gives?

The History of Road Surfacing in Teaneck

The difference in pricing and the durability of the materials are significant factors in how we chose to surface roadways.  Concrete road surfaces can last nearly 100 years, while blacktop may need to be milled and re-paved every few decades.

How did they choose?

If you had your choice (but had to pay for it), what would you choose?  Would the amount of time you were planning to live on your street be a factor?

Believe it or not, that was the case. The passage below is from May 5, 1936: Continue reading “What would you prefer: Concrete vs Blacktop?”

TOWNSHIP OF TEANECK EXECUTIVE ORDER T2020-06 (Parking Restrictions)

Pursuant to the authority vested in me under the Council-Manager Plan, N.J.S.A. 40:69A81, et. seq., and Chapter 29, Section 7 of the Code of the Township of Teaneck, I issue the following Executive Order:

WHEREAS, in consultation with and at the recommendation of, Township of Teaneck Health Officer Ken Katter, Police Chief Glenn O’Reilly, and OEM Director Larry Robertson.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Dean B. Kazinci, as Township Manager, do hereby order and direct that:

1. All Township of Teaneck Parking Restrictions which were previously lifted on March 15, 2020 as per Executive Order T2020-01 will now go into effect at midnight on Monday, June 15, 2020.

2. A copy of this Executive Order shall be immediately transmitted to the Council of the Township of Teaneck.

Dean B. Kazinci
Township Manager
Dated: June 3, 2020
Continue reading “TOWNSHIP OF TEANECK EXECUTIVE ORDER T2020-06 (Parking Restrictions)”