Mahwah October 3, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Tie votes halt effort to control political signs by Frank J. McMahon An ordinance that would have prohibited the posting of political signs in Mahwah’s public rights of way or on public property ended last month when the council could not get a majority to vote to table the ordinance until January, and the subsequent adoption vote ended in a tie. The ordinance, which was proposed by The Mahwah Museum Lecture Series will present “Celebrate Mahwah Library, 1912-2012,” by Mahwah Township Historian Carol Greene on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The present Mahwah Public Library had its early beginnings in Eleanor Bugg’s home in Cragmere Park as a loving memorial to her deceased sister. The library’s centennial year is the perfect time to tell the charming story of its founding. Greene will draw from her book, “The Ramapough Chronicles: A 300-year History of Mahwah and its Surrounds,” to describe what Mahwah was like a century ago. Greene will relate how the township and the library have changed over the years. Rare antique books from Mahwah’s earliest library shelves will be on display. The lecture will be held at the Ramapo Reformed Church Education Building located 100 Island Road in Mahwah. Refreshments will be served afterward. Admission is $3; museum members will be admitted free of charge. Reservations are recommended. To reserve a seat, or for more information, call (201) 512-0099, or email lectures@mahwahmuseum.org. The Mahwah Museum receives operat- Public library turns 100 Mayor William Laforet, would have eliminated the provision in the current sign ordinance that permits signs in the rights of way and on public property if the approval of the township council is obtained. At a previous meeting, Council President John Spiech asked Mahwah Township Attorney Andrew Fede if it would be legal to limit the prohibition of temporary signs in the rights of way and on public property just to Macarthur Boulevard based on safety and aesthetic concerns. Fede advised the council that, while case law supports the current ordinance banning all temporary signs in the rights of way and on public property without the council’s approval, if there is a safety issue involved and temporary signs are permitted everywhere else in a non-discriminatory manner and are permitted on private property, the council could consider a ban on temporary signs in a specific area such as Macarthur Boulevard. Fede said there is not much case law on that issue, but emphasized that the current ordinance permits temporary signs on private property, but is very strict about prohibiting them on public property. Councilman John Roth said he thought that selecting a particular area where tem- porary signs would be prohibited would be discriminatory, and might just move the problem to another area of the township. He made a motion to postpone any action on the ordinance until January. That led to another lengthy discussion during which council members offered differing opinions about the implications of the new ordinance. Councilman Harry Williams said that prohibiting the temporary signs in certain areas would not solve the aesthetics or safety issues, and he did not agree with tabling the matter until January. He suggested that the council hold another public hearing on the ordinance in November when all the election signs are “in full bloom.” Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio seconded Roth’s motion to table the matter until January, but the vote on that motion ended up in a tie with DiGiulio, Roth, and Councilman Charles “Chuck” Jandris voting in favor while Williams, Spiech, and Councilman Samuel Alderisio voted not to table the ordinance. Williams made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Alderisio seconded that motion, but the vote also ended in the same tie. (continued on page 10) Eleanor Bugg. (Photo courtesy of the Mahwah Museum.) ing support from The New Jersey Historical Commission, Department of State.