Franklin Lakes November 28, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Temporary sign ordinance to be aggressively enforced by Frank J. McMahon Following several months of discussion, the Franklin Lakes Council has decided not to amend the borough’s temporary sign ordinance, but instead will have the police department be more aggressive in taking down temporary signs that violate that ordinance. According to the existing ordinance, signs cannot be larger than 15 feet square and cannot be located closer than 10 feet from the curb line in front of the property on which The Ramapo Gymnastics Team put the final stamp on an epic season as it amassed 111.875 points and captured its first NJSIAA team championship before 1,500 in attendance last week at Montgomery High. Senior Kayla Yosif Ramapo gymnasts win state championship and juniors Sahara Gipson and Lauren Kish competed ‘All Around’ for the team and Kara Giacose, Claire Scavone and Jenn Nacion competed in their specialized events. The (continued on page 23) they are located or, in the event there is no curb, no closer than 10 feet from the edge of the paved roadway. Signs covered under this section of the code are not be permitted in the public right of way or on public property, on any road right of way, road easement, access easement, or county roadway. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart advised that a survey of other towns in the area revealed that those towns do not permit temporary signs on public property or in the public rights of way, but in practice, they still allow them. Mayor Frank Bivona suggested that, if the borough’s ordinance prohibits signs in the public rights of way, but they are allowed anyway, perhaps the ordinance should be amended to accommodate that common practice. Borough Attorney William Smith advised the council that, while the governing body can prohibit signs on public property, if they are allowed sometimes, that could lead to constitutional issue. Councilman Thomas Lambrix pointed out that the discussion of temporary signs was driven by the practice of posting signs on the fence at McBride Field, which Smith said can create a safety hazard for motorists at the traffic circle at that location. Councilman Charles Kahwaty asked if signs could be allowed in a specific area of the field, while Hart wondered if the temporary signs could be limited to borough sponsored events. Bivona pointed out, however, that it would be difficult to prohibit a church or a synagogue from posting signs at (continued on page 10) Ramapo Gymnastics Team