GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Township Council at its Tuesday, March 25 meeting sped up action to slow down traffic in an area where children play.

A resolution was passed asking Atlantic County to lower the speed limit on Duerer Street in the area of Gabriel Field and the new Tartaglia Park.

The limit is currently 50 miles per hour, according to Mayor Tom Bassford.  Council has requested that the speed be reduced to 35 miles per hour in the area, which contains numerous playing fields.

The speed reduction would be for times when children are present.

“We can’t have a sign saying ‘while children are present,’ because that would be confusing,” Bassford said. “People think of that as during the school day. The time children will be at the fields is exactly the opposite – when they’re out of school.”

Councilwoman Meg Worthington’s suggestion to request a flashing light was added to the resolution. The light would be operative when youngsters are playing, because games are often held at times when drivers might not expect to encounter them.

— Steve Prisament