Council hears updates on road program, lead-service‑line removals and county denial at Wawa intersection
April 15, 2026 | Hawthorne, Passaic County, New Jersey
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Hawthorne Borough engineers and staff briefed council April 15 on multiple infrastructure items: status of the 2024–25 road program, lead‑service‑line replacements and a denied county request to widen traffic lanes near the Gala Road/Wawa development.
Engineer Joe Burn said remilling on North Wong is complete and paving and guardrail test pits will follow once PSEG removes a utility pole at North Wong and Ray Avenue Extension. He reported the lead service‑line removal contractor is working on Lafayette and Rhea avenues and has encountered communication difficulties contacting remaining Westervelt residents for replacements.
Earlier in the meeting councilmembers pressed the mayor and staff about a prior request to add a through or right‑turn lane at the Gala Road/Wawa intersection; administration reported the county examined the proposal and declined, citing congestion and insufficient right‑of‑way, per the borough engineer’s account.
Administrator Vince Caruso said CCTV work is scheduled on McFarland after a series of sinkholes, and that the 2026 road program bond ordinance will be on the May 6 agenda. He also introduced ordinance 2388‑26 (first reading) to revise parks and recreation fees and noted it will be posted for public review prior to final passage at the May 6 meeting.
Why it matters: Street repairs, lead‑service‑line replacements and traffic controls affect resident safety, water quality and construction scheduling. County decisions on state or county roads can limit local traffic remedies and require alternate measures, such as new signs and enforcement.
What’s next: Contractor and staff to complete test pits and paving, continue resident outreach for lead replacements, and return ordinance 2388‑26 for final reading May 6.
Engineer Joe Burn said remilling on North Wong is complete and paving and guardrail test pits will follow once PSEG removes a utility pole at North Wong and Ray Avenue Extension. He reported the lead service‑line removal contractor is working on Lafayette and Rhea avenues and has encountered communication difficulties contacting remaining Westervelt residents for replacements.
Earlier in the meeting councilmembers pressed the mayor and staff about a prior request to add a through or right‑turn lane at the Gala Road/Wawa intersection; administration reported the county examined the proposal and declined, citing congestion and insufficient right‑of‑way, per the borough engineer’s account.
Administrator Vince Caruso said CCTV work is scheduled on McFarland after a series of sinkholes, and that the 2026 road program bond ordinance will be on the May 6 agenda. He also introduced ordinance 2388‑26 (first reading) to revise parks and recreation fees and noted it will be posted for public review prior to final passage at the May 6 meeting.
Why it matters: Street repairs, lead‑service‑line replacements and traffic controls affect resident safety, water quality and construction scheduling. County decisions on state or county roads can limit local traffic remedies and require alternate measures, such as new signs and enforcement.
What’s next: Contractor and staff to complete test pits and paving, continue resident outreach for lead replacements, and return ordinance 2388‑26 for final reading May 6.
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