April 25
...serving up your daily dish.
Montclair's BOE met last night and approved a policy for no bus idling that will apply to district owned and contracted school buses, as well as privately owned vehicles parked on school property.
Dr. James Patterson presented policy wording which he said had been altered at the last minute to follow the EPA and recommendations of zero idling time rather than allowing the legal three minutes. This came as a surprise and personal victory to Marcella Van Winden, mother and founder of Healthy Montclair who has worked for months to make the Board aware of the health dangers of school bus diesel emissions for children. Until last night, she told us, there was no indication that the Board was contemplating anything beyond the extent of the law. Van Winden said she called the Board yesterday afternoon in a last ditch effort, to tell them she'd be bringing kids equipped with inhalers, dust masks, and large signs demanding a stop to all diesel exhaust exposure around schools. "I feel like I made the magic phone call, and had to put pressure on them to make them listen," she said. "There's no going back now."
The Board will vote at next month's meeting to adopt the new bus idling policy. In the meantime, Town Manager, Joe Hartnett told Baristanet that he'd be working with the town's environmental coordinator, Gray Russell, and the school board to get "No Idling" signs up around the schools next week.
April 25, 2006 in Civic Virtue | Permalink
"Town Manager, Joe Hartnett told Baristanet that he'd be working with the town's environmental coordinator, Gray Davis, and the school board to get "No Idling" signs up around the schools next week."
What does THAT mean?? (He'll be holding the ladder?!)
Posted by: Confused Citizen | Apr 25, 2006 12:19:11 PM
no, he's lettering the signs on his computer and putting them through the town's laminating machine.
what does the town's environmental coordinator have to do with bus pollution?
maybe they'll also put up "no graffitti" signs.
Posted by: pissant | Apr 25, 2006 1:05:57 PM
Bravo.
This is one GIANT step forward for a health and well-being of school kids and the citizens of Montclair.
Bravo.
Posted by: Franklin | Apr 25, 2006 1:23:22 PM
This is not a town wide ordinance? The buses can stop before getting to the school and idle all they want, say in cold weather?
If so, good for the kids. Bad for wherever they decide to idle instead.
Talk about NIMBY (not in my back yard).
How about a solution to eliminate or dramatically reduce exhaust instead? Moving the problem is no solution.
Posted by: poo | Apr 25, 2006 1:56:20 PM
I wouldn't exactly call this NIMBY. The buses frequently would idle for many minutes with children still on them. That's everyone's backyard.
I believe there are laws against idling period, not just outside schools, but they've been largely ignored by the bus company. My understanding is that the schools were forced to institute this additional policy to give them some enforcement muscle. It's primariy the result of one mom's prolonged efforts, and she's to be applauded.
Posted by: Susan | Apr 25, 2006 2:18:26 PM
Years ago, I had many discussions with varying levels town management about the idling of the senior bus outside of the movie theater on Church Street. The diesel fumes would waft into the stores, the restaurants and the passers by.
To no avail.
Maybe now.
Posted by: Kevin Lee Allen | Apr 25, 2006 2:27:35 PM
School buses also idle on public roads near the schools and sporting venues. I would request that the ban be extended to the entire town - not just school property
Posted by: ba | Apr 25, 2006 2:56:09 PM
Just to play DA for a moment...
If they can't idle anywhere, then what happens when it's cold (or hot) out?
Bus drivers are paid very little. Do we really expect them to wait for kids in a freezing cold/stifling hot bus?
Posted by: Dog Mom | Apr 25, 2006 5:56:20 PM
"Bus drivers are paid very little. Do we really expect them to wait for kids in a freezing cold/stifling hot bus? "
Absolutely so, Dog Mom! Nothing, nothing! will get in the way of our environmentalism.
Posted by: Right of Center | Apr 25, 2006 5:59:35 PM
According to this no-idling policy, the schools will provide waiting areas for bus drivers in case it is too cold to wait outside or in the bus.
Posted by: marcella | Apr 25, 2006 6:45:06 PM
That's good. Now they just need to find such open space in Essex County!
Honestly, the fumes bug me too, but where I work, the bus drivers do a lot for a little. I would hope that they would be able to wait comfortably.
Posted by: Dog Mom | Apr 25, 2006 6:50:53 PM
at an njea health and safety conference last year, i learned that it is illegal for buses to idle for more than 3 minutes at their stops. as a teacher who has "bus duty" 3 days a week i went directly to the drivers and told them they were breaking the law. my principal backed me up. it took a few weeks now not one bus driver dares to idle.
we are not a big district, only 6 busses, so our fight was not as intense. it's just common sense to turn off that stank near the kids and other living creatures!
Posted by: pentimento | Apr 26, 2006 6:31:12 AM
Another solution would be for lower emissions buses, say ones that are hybrids or even electric. I'd rather see my tax dollars go to that then to a new sports facility.
Posted by: Max | Apr 26, 2006 9:12:11 AM
Here's more info from the Ledger: http://tinyurl.com/fupft
Posted by: Krys O. | Apr 26, 2006 9:24:18 AM
"Honestly, the fumes bug me too, but where I work, the bus drivers do a lot for a little. I would hope that they would be able to wait comfortably."
Oh, please. Last year, my kids' driver picked them up at 8:35, drove 40 mph down Highland Ave., got them to school 20 minutes early, and then had them sitting on the idling bus while she went out for a smoke and then came back and took a little nap at the wheel. Surely there's a better way to serve everybody.
Posted by: Susan | Apr 26, 2006 9:46:16 AM
Susan,
Wow. What did all those other kids on the route think when they missed their bus everyday (it being at their stop 20 minutes early).
I am afraid I don't believe you.
Posted by: Right of Center | Apr 26, 2006 9:48:43 AM
(p.s. your kids aren't in DOT, by any chance are they?)
Posted by: Right of Center | Apr 26, 2006 9:55:50 AM
Three Cheers for the Moms who police the bus drivers!!
Whether the drivers are underpaid is no excuse for idling. They should dress appropriately to the climate.
What about the Senior Bus idle....don't senior lungs matter?
I even notice cars running when dropping off at the recycle center - they should stay home. Their contribution to the environment is negative.
Posted by: Byron | Apr 26, 2006 10:09:42 AM
Who was the kook handing out candy cigarettes to the kids after the meeting last night?
Posted by: PM | Apr 26, 2006 11:47:12 AM