October 20, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Midland Park Sandwich signs are often placed outside local businesses to encourage shoppers to enter the establishment, but in many towns they are not permitted by ordinance. Such is the case in Midland Park, where the borough council is now considering allowing the A-frame signs. Council President Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan recommended during last week’s council meeting that the council suspend the ordinance banning the signs for a limited period, perhaps 12 months. “This is a concept to help businesses stay in busi- Council may approve outdoor sandwich signs ness,” said O’Hagan. “No business has approached me; I came to this realization through observation. It costs us nothing,” he added. Mayor Joseph Monahan said that the proposal would go along with promises made to the chamber of commerce offering to help in any way possible. “It’s low risk,” he said. Councilwoman Nancy Peet suggested parameters as to size and times the signs can be displayed be promulgated so their use is not subjective. O’Hagan agreed that they should not exceed 3-ft. in height, but said that rules should be left flexible. “Hopefully the businesses will conform without being abusive of the policy. If it doesn’t work out, we can yank the permission back,” he said. Borough Attorney Robert Regan will speak to John Wittekind, the zoning officer, to discuss an appropriate resolution the council can adopt. He said guidelines should include where the signs may be placed, including how close to the building and how far away from the curb so they do not obstruct pedestrian traffic. The chief of the Midland Park Volunteer Fire Department will have to be a borough resident in the future if the borough council adopts an ordinance now under consideration. The proposal is being recommended by the fire department. Councilman Scott Pruiksma, who is also a fireman, said that the department’s thinking is that the person working on the budget and making financial recommendations should be someone who lives in the community and is not an out-of-towner. Councilman Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan noted that the borough administrator and the police chief also make financial decisions and are not required to live in town. The ordinance that applies to the fire department presently permits firemen to live in towns contiguous to Midland Park, a change made in 2006, but requires that officers “spend the majority of their time within the Borough residency could become requirement for fire department chief limits of the borough.” The ordinance now being considered would add: “Notwithstanding the foregoing, the member appointed as Chief Engineer (fire chief) shall be required to be a legal resident of the borough.” Borough Attorney Robert Regan said he would check the code to ascertain if the proposed restriction is permitted. The current chief, Mark Berninger, lives in town. The all-volunteer department, founded in 1909, not only fights local fires and participates in mutual aid with neighboring towns, but it also sponsors or helps out with a myriad community activities. 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