Resident Marcus Delgado urges Bellmawr action after trucks damage Hall Avenue sidewalks

Marcus Delgado, a resident and property owner at 165 Hall Avenue, told the Bellmawr Borough Council on Nov. 29 that a trucking company operating on Hall Avenue has repeatedly damaged recently renovated curbs and sidewalks, performed tire burnouts and engaged in aggressive driving that threatens pedestrians and nearby homes.

Delgado read a prepared statement to the council, saying the trucks "are chipping up our brand new curbs, destroying our sidewalks, doing tire burnouts, and engaging in hostile and illegal driving maneuvers." He said drivers use the sidewalk as a ramp, idle for long periods, use the recreation-center entrance for their trucks and speed on Hall Avenue with trailers attached. "The shock from these commercial trucks hitting these sidewalks at full speed is causing our houses to shake," he said, adding that he would provide photographs of the damage to borough officials.

The complaint included a request that the borough consider traffic-calming measures such as a radar speed-detection unit similar to the one in Barrington and the placement of poles between the street and sidewalk to protect pedestrians, and Delgado said such steps would require only minimal additional police manpower.

Council members responded that they share residents' concerns and described steps under way: Councilman Ray Bridal said the borough has been in contact with the property owner and will address the issue again at the council's caucus meeting in September (as noted in the record). Another council member said the borough is revising ordinance language with the borough solicitor to close a loophole that has allowed truck traffic onto the recreation-zoned property and that enforcement is a priority.

The council did not adopt any immediate new regulation at the meeting; members said staff will continue to pursue enforcement and ordinance revisions and review resident-supplied photos and documentation.