goHunterdon is seeking a Community Mobility Associate to support goHunterdon’s expanding Community Mobility Program.
The ideal candidate will have interest in assisting individuals with transportation needs, have the ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with older adults, persons with a disability, and low income individuals.
To view the full job description and to apply online: https://www.gohunterdon.org/about-us/job-postings
goHunterdon is proud to welcome two new staff members.
Margret Thompson, Sustainable Hunterdon Coordinator
Margret Thompson joins goHunterdon as Sustainable Hunterdon Coordinator following a fourteen year career teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grades in the Bethlehem Township School District.
As Sustainable Hunterdon Coordinator, Margret will facilitate the Sustainable Hunterdon Hubs (municipal and school green teams), provide assistance to municipalities and schools in their efforts to achieve certification under the statewide Sustainable Jersey programs, promote electric vehicles (EV) by providing support to municipalities, organizations, schools and businesses exploring EV adoption, and innovating goHunterdon’s current environmental education programming, including the EV Challenge.
Margret may be reached via email, mthompson@gohunterdon.org
Caroline Cullen, Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Associate
Caroline Cullen, an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, has joined goHunterdon as part time Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Associate. Caroline will support goHunterdon’s bicycle and pedestrian education programming, including hands on participation in pedestrian activities (walk to school events, pedestrian safety audits), bicycle skills drills (rodeos), helmet fittings, safety presentations, and community events, as well as Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety campaigns and speed studies.
Caroline is retired from a career in corporate accounting and now focuses on her passion for bicycling and hiking. Caroline is a licensed USA Cycling Level C Official and currently is the Chief Race Official for the New Jersey Interscholastic Cycling Association League.
Caroline may be reached via email, ccullen@gohunterdon.org
The Flemington Borough Police Department, in collaboration with goHunterdon, is conducting a Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety education campaign aimed at reducing pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes with Flemington Borough.
Street Smart NJ is a collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations like, goHunterdon, to educate people who are driving and walking on behaviors to increase pedestrian safety.
“We have teamed up with goHunterdon to educate both pedestrians and motorists to make them aware of their roles in ensuring everyone’s safety. This will be the fifth campaign the Flemington Borough Police has conducted in collaboration with goHunterdon. Each campaign has focused on a different area of the borough,” says Chief Rotella.
“We see an increase in pedestrian traffic along Mine Street and Stangl Road,” says Corporal Brian McNally, Flemington Police Department. “Several new businesses have opened on Stangl Road that are attracting people,” he adds. “Stangl Road is also the location of several community events being held this summer, so it was the right location for this campaign,” he notes.
Street Smart NJ is one of many initiatives in New Jersey working to help the state reach its goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer. Drivers need to obey speed limits and stop for people crossing; people walking need to use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals; and everyone needs to avoid distractions.
Street Smart NJ messaging is currently on display along Stangl Road on temporary street signs, A frame signs, and banners. Local businesses are displaying and distributing flyers, posters, coasters, and take out coffee sleeves. Reusable Street Smart NJ branded shopping bags are being distributed at several local businesses. goHunterdon also is sharing Street Smart NJ Pedestrian safety messaging via social media.
The statewide Street Smart NJ campaign is managed by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and began in 2013.
goHunterdon has collaborated with several other Hunterdon municipalities to conduct Street Smart NJ campaigns including Califon Borough, Town of Clinton, Frenchtown Borough, High Bridge Borough, City of Lambertville, and Tewksbury Township. A campaign recently concluded in Milford Borough.
Hunterdon communities interested in conducting a Street Smart NJ campaign may contact Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Manager, rfisher@gohunterdon.org.
Summer provides a unique opportunity for goHunterdon to educate young people on bicycle and pedestrian safety at local summer day camps. “Throughout the school year, we engage with young people through our Safe Routes to School Program, but safety is a year round message,” says Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Coordinator.
“The summer camp environment offers a relaxed environment and give us more flexibility in the kinds of activities we can schedule,” he adds.
Summer camp activities include outdoor bicycle safety rodeos, interactive helmet safety demonstrations, and bicycle and pedestrian “relay race” style safety games. goHunterdon also offers indoor camp activities for rainy days.
goHunterdon staff bring all of the equipment, knowledge and fun needed to engage campers with bicycle and pedestrian safety activities at no charge.
Visits are scheduled at camps in Lebanon Borough, Raritan Township, Hampton Borough, and Flemington Borough.
For more information or to schedule a goHunterdon camp activity, contact Ryan Fisher, Safety Programs Manager, rfisher@gohunterdon.org
goHunterdon has launched a “Summer of Cycling” campaign, with a variety of “Bike Hunterdon” branded initiatives to promote Hunterdon County as a bicycle tourism destination. The effort is being coordinated closely with the Hunterdon County Department of Economic Development and Tourism “Explore Hunterdon NJ” tourism campaign.
Bike Hunterdon Website Features Hunterdon County Tourism Initiatives
The www.bikehunterdon.org website has been updated with features to allow visitors to sort bicycle routes along the Hunterdon County 579 Trail, Hunterdon County Beer Trail, and Hunterdon Main Streets tourism initiatives. “It is a natural fit for goHunterdon to include our tourism initiatives on their Bike Hunterdon website,” says Marc Saluk, Hunterdon County Economic Development and Tourism Director. “Outdoor recreation and bicycling in particular are great draws for visitors to Hunterdon County. Bike Hunterdon is a great complement to our Explore Hunterdon efforts.”
“Cyclists Welcome” Bicycle Friendly Business Recognition
Outreach and “crowd sourcing” continues to identify and recognize businesses that are particularly inviting to bicyclists. “Bicyclists look for establishments like coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, and retailers where they can easily park their bicycle, grab a bite to eat and re-fuel,” says Caryl Harris, goHunterdon Bicycle Specialist. “Our goal is to help the business community to understand the amenities that attract cyclists and to identify businesses where bicyclists are particularly welcome. Providing these establishments with a free colorful “Cyclists Welcome” decal clearly identifies those businesses for bicyclists.” For more information or to nominate a business, click here.
“Pedal and Park” Bicycle Rack Loan Program
The availability of bicycle racks is key to supporting bicycling and creating an environment in which bicyclists want to patronize local businesses.
goHunterdon continues to promote the “Pedal and Park” Bicycle Rack Program to local businesses and tourism destinations. Bicycle racks are “loaned” out to businesses, municipalities, and organizations for a period of approximately 1-2 months to gauge use and assess bicycle parking need. The goal of the bike rack loan is to allow the recipient to see the value in offering bicycle parking and ultimately purchase their own permanent rack. Currently, bike racks are on loan at Federal Twist Vineyards and Stockton Food Store in Stockton; Gabby’s Pizza & Pasta and Flemington DIY in Flemington; and Polka Dot Café, High Bridge. Information about the rack loan program, including request form is available here.
New Jersey’s new Safe Passing Law went into effect on March 1, 2022. The law aims to prevent the near misses, injuries, and deaths that often occur on New Jersey roadways.
Violating these guidelines will result in a driver receiving a fine of $500 and two motor vehicle points, if bodily harm is caused. If no injury occurs, the fine is $100. Read the full New Jersey Legislature Bill (A5570/S2208)
Hunterdon commuters perceive higher traffic volumes and are observing an increase in poor driver behavior according to a survey conducted by goHunterdon..
The feedback comes in response to the annual survey of subscribers of goHunterdon’s free Traffic Alert Service. goHunterdon provides weekday alerts on traffic congestion, traffic accidents, construction closures & detours, weather related travel conditions, and other relevant travel information to more than 3,500 commuters traveling to or through Hunterdon County, NJ. Alerts are available via email during peak commute hours, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
“The survey responses provide us with insights into what commuters are experiencing on Hunterdon roadways,” says Tara Shepherd, goHunterdon executive director. “Commuters are telling us that they are experiencing higher traffic volumes. More than 50 percent of respondents reported that they perceive higher traffic volumes on all Hunterdon roadways (municipal, county, state, interstate). Nearly 60 percent of respondents perceive an increase in traffic volumes on local (municipal/county) roadways.
Respondents also reported that they have observed an increase in speeding, aggressive driving, and motorist texting while driving.
More than 80 percent of survey respondents indicate that they regularly travel on Interstate 78 and 60 percent of those who drive on Interstate 78 report that they have seen an increase in motor vehicle crashes along the roadway in the past year.
Ninety percent of respondents conveyed that goHunterdon’s Traffic Alert Service is their primary source of information on road conditions, followed the Waze app (42%), radio reports (40%) and Google Maps (38%). More than 60 percent of respondents report that they have been subscribers for five year or longer.
The full survey report may be viewed here.
Mayor Henri Schepens has announced that Milford Borough will be the latest Hunterdon County community to conduct a Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety education campaign aimed at reducing pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes. Street Smart NJ is a collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations.
Milford Borough will work with goHunterdon to educate people who are driving and walking. Special emphasis will be on speeding and the use of crosswalks.
“Milford is a walkable community,” says Mayor Schepens. “Our children walk to school and residents walk to the post office and shops for local errands. Visitors enjoy strolling through our quaint town to visit our local businesses. We have teamed up with goHunterdon to educate both pedestrians and motorists to make them aware of their roles in ensuring everyone’s safety.”
Street Smart NJ is one of many initiatives in New Jersey working to help the state reach its goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer. Drivers need to obey speed limits and stop for people crossing; people walking need to use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals; and everyone needs to avoid distractions.
The Milford Borough campaign launched on April 25 and will continue into May. During the campaign educational materials will be on display in Milford, through local businesses, public locations, and via social media. Street Smart NJ messaging will be visible on street signs, table tents, brochures, posters, coasters, and take out coffee sleeves. Window clings will displayed in storefronts to remind pedestrians to use crosswalks. And, just in time for the new plastic bag ban, reusable Street Smart NJ branded shopping bags will be distributed within the community.
The statewide Street Smart NJ campaign is managed by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and began in 2013.
The Milford Borough Street Smart NJ campaign is the fourteenth (14th) campaign conducted in Hunterdon County. Prior campaigns include Califon Borough, Town of Clinton, Flemington Borough, Frenchtown Borough, High Bridge Borough, Tewksbury Township, and the City of Lambertville. More information about Street Smart NJ campaigns in Hunterdon County may be found: https://www.gohunterdon.org/bike-ped-programs/street-smart-nj/overview
Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping to promote the Street Smart NJ message in Milford Borough should contact Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Coordinator, rfisher@gohunterdon.org.
goHunterdon and the Hunterdon County Department of Planning and Land Use hosted a virtual “Breakfast Talk” on New Jersey’s Model Statewide Electric Vehicle (EV) Municipal Ordinance on March 11, 2022. Approximately 48 local municipal representatives participated in the session which was held via Zoom.
Panelists included Maria G. Connolly, PP, AICP, Local Planning Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Mark Warner, ChargeEVC, Cathleen Lewis, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Andrea Friedman, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and Joe Lustig, Raritan Township Environmental Commission.
“The virtual ‘Breakfast Talk’ format is a great way to share useful, timely information about topics of concern with our municipal partners,” said Carrie Fellows, Director of the Department of Planning & Land Use. “We’re delighted to partner with goHunterdon for this program on the new EV Ordinance, and bring this panel of experts to a Hunterdon County audience.”
The Model Statewide Municipal Electric Vehicle (EV) Ordinance was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in July 2021 and published by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on September 1, 2021. The law requires that Electric Vehicle Supply/Service Equipment (EVSE) and Make-Ready parking spaces be designated as a permitted accessory use in all zoning or use districts and establishes associated installation and parking requirements related to EVSE in New Jersey’s 565 municipalities.
The intent of the model statewide ordinance is to ensure that municipalities are requiring installation of EVSE and Make-Ready parking spaces in a consistent manner and also to provide an ordinance that can be easily used by every municipality with no or minimal amendments by the municipality.
The model statewide ordinance is mandatory and is in effect for all municipalities. Municipalities are allowed to make changes to the “Reasonable Standards” portion of the ordinance through the normal ordinance amendment process, but may not change the parts of the ordinance that were required by the legislation (installation and parking requirements). For municipalities with existing EV ordinances, the statewide ordinance supersedes those requirements.
A recording of the March 11 session is available on goHunterdon’s YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/GdbPTmdPN-Y
goHunterdon’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Challenge program engages Hunterdon students in grades 6-8 to learn about alternative energy and electric vehicles by designing, building, and racing electrically powered model cars. Students learn about the environmental impacts of fossil fuels and how electric vehicles offer an alternative to the traditional combustion engine used in many cars.
More than 440 students at nine (9) Hunterdon schools (Kingwood Township School, East Amwell Township School, Woodglen School, Alexandria Middle School, Immaculate Conception School, High Bridge Middle School, Reading Fleming Intermediate School, Franklin Township School, and Readington Middle School) are participating in the program this school year. Lessons on greenhouse gases, vehicle emission, and climate change are interspersed with lessons on design, engineering, gear ratios, and prototype building.
Students have been tasked with transforming a few components including a motor, wheels, axles, and a battery pack into a unique and functioning model race car. Beyond these materials, students may use anything they like to build their vehicle. The only two required materials that must be used are the battery pack and motor; everything else is fair game.
Student teams from several participating schools will convene for a countywide race in May to determine the fastest electrically powered model vehicle.
The Hunterdon Electric Vehicle Challenge is made possible with the financial support of sponsors 3M, Green Power Energy, and ExxonMobil Research & Engineering.
For more information on the EV Challenge: https://www.gohunterdon.org/sustainable-hunterdon/ev-challenge