Hackensack City Council Tackles Air Traffic Noise, Traffic Safety, and Honors Local Icons

The Hackensack City Council meeting addressed issues, including ongoing concerns about air traffic noise from Teterboro Airport, local traffic safety measures, and the honoring of community figures through street renaming and proclamations. The council also discussed various administrative matters, redevelopment plans, and community improvement projects.

0:28A primary focus of the meeting was the noise pollution stemming from Teterboro Airport, particularly affecting Runway 19. The Deputy Mayor reported that out of 37,000 total arrivals in 2024, only 35 utilized an alternate flight path designed to reduce noise, and most of these occurred at night. This scarcity of daytime relief has led to heightened noise levels, with a reported increase of 0.9 decibels at the hospital, reaching an average of 63.2 decibels on Prospect Avenue. In response, a focus group dedicated to Runway 19 has been formed to tackle these challenges. The Deputy Mayor expressed cautious optimism about achieving some relief by summer, based on discussions with air traffic control.

27:52Concerns about traffic safety were also a significant topic at the meeting. The council approved a resolution to install speed humps and implement a no left turn policy during peak hours on Kaplan Avenue. An engineer’s study recommended these measures, and after swift action by a council member, county approval was obtained for the necessary signage. The no left turn policy will be enforced from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with speed humps expected by spring.

2:08:58Public comments highlighted additional traffic concerns near Fairmont School and on Spring Valley Avenue. Residents expressed frustration over chaotic conditions during school drop-offs and speeding issues involving heavy trucks and buses. The council acknowledged these concerns and promised to address them, including the potential installation of solar-activated stop signs or rumble strips at problematic intersections.

27:52The council honored local community icons, most notably Lillian Whitaker, a beloved former principal of Nelly K. Parker Elementary School, who recently passed away. Heartfelt tributes were shared by council members and community residents, recognizing Whitaker’s profound impact on education and her nurturing approach with students. In her honor, the council introduced a resolution to rename Club Way to Lillian Whitaker Way.

Additionally, the meeting featured proclamations for the Bethl Church of God in Christ, celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Deputy Mayor acknowledged the church’s enduring commitment to the community, and Pastor Smith reflected on the church’s journey and milestone.

1:48:28In terms of city development, the council introduced several ordinances and resolutions, including a redevelopment agreement for a property on Anderson Street and amendments to stormwater control regulations. A noteworthy ordinance proposed the naming of The Gallery at Hackpack after Ruth Bower Nuder, recognizing her contributions to the local arts scene.

0:28The council also discussed improvements to local parks, facilitated by a $100,000 Recreation Improvement Grant from the Department of Community Affairs. Updates were provided on various projects, including drainage improvements at Poly Fly Park and an indoor soccer facility at Johnson Park. The city engineer emphasized Hackensack’s progress in advancing its long-term control plan for sewer separation, designed to mitigate combined sewer overflow issues.

1:48:28Public comments during the meeting also addressed administrative concerns, such as the need for parking stickers for overnight parking on Barry Street and the challenges faced by residents due to discrepancies between home addresses and garage locations. The resident expressed gratitude for the council’s efforts on Kaplan Avenue but sought further guidance on resolving the parking sticker issue.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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