The Villadom Times Weekly Newspaper Online

Franklin Lakes February 24, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Realtors’ Open House signs denied by council by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Borough Council has decided 3-2 to deny a request by Realtors to make permanent a resolution passed last June which permitted the use of temporary directional Open House signs in the right-of-way of roads around the borough in order to stimulate house sales. The signs had been allowed for six months, and the resolution was extended by the council for two additional months last December. During and Open House, a Realtor permits the public to tour a house that is for sale without making an appointment with a Realtor or with the owner. Councilman Michael Friscia recused himself from the vote to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest with his law firm. Council members Steven Marcus, Frank Bivona, and Paulette Ramsey voted against granting permission for the signs, while Councilwoman Nathalie Lota and Coun- cilman William Smith voted to grant the permission with the stipulation that the Realtors obtain the permission of the property owners on whose property the signs would be placed. Prior to the vote, the council held a work session discussion about the use of the signs at which time the mixed feelings of the council were expressed. Smith said he has not heard any complaints about the signs, but he pointed out that they cannot be located on the paved roadways, so they have to be placed on the grassy area in front of someone’s home. He said if the signs are going to be permitted, they should only be permitted if and when a property owner approves the placement in the right-of-way part of his or her front yard. “The grass is in the right-of-way, but it is his grass,” Smith said, referring to the property owner. “I don’t want (the signs) anywhere unless the property owner agrees to it.” In-person registration for spring sports will be held on Feb. 25 at the recreation department, 1 Vichiconti Way. Online registration is open at www.gameplan411. com. Spring sports include baseball and softball for Spring sports registration to begin Bivona agreed that the homeowners should have to give consent before the signs are placed on their properties. He added that having a sign on the property in front of one’s house has a negative associated with it that no one wants, so if he were asked for permission, he would probably not give it. Nathalie Lota said she also thought the Realtors should have to get the homeowners’ permission. Ramsey explained her vote, saying she has always been against allowing these signs. “There are too many Realtors putting up signs without permits, so I’m against it,” she said. “That means we go back to no Open House signs,” Mayor Maura DeNicola said. Realtor Tamar “Tommi” Joffe, the manager of the Weichert Realty office in Franklin Lakes, responded to the council’s action, saying, “I think you will hurt a lot of Franklin Lakes residents. Houses don’t sell because they are in Franklin Lakes. They sell because the signs help the Realtors to sell houses.” grades one through nine, spring roller hockey for kindergarten and first graders, and a kindergarten clinic for T-ball. Registrations received after Feb. 28 will incur a late fee. First Step Preschool, Inc. 454 Pulis Avenue • Franklin Lakes We are now enrolling for �� Boilers Repaired or Replaced in One Day • Oil Tank Abatement • Chimney Liners • Water Heaters • Sewers & Drains • Cast Iron Gas Fired Boilers �� September 2010 Small Class Sizes with an Academic Curriculum Ages 2½ - 6 Years PM K-Enrichment Class Senior Discounts • N.J. State Lic# 6980 �� 201-847-8198 Please visit our website: ﬁrststeppreschoolnj.com �� Advertise in the 2-24-10 Joan/Janine VanderSterre2x2(2-24-10) 2 x 2” 1-13-10 Pat from Janine FirstStepPreschool2x3(1-13-10) 2 col x 3” YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 201-652-0744