Franklin Lakes February 6, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Borough enforces non-commercial sign restrictions by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes has begun to enforce the borough’s restrictions on non-commercial signs that prohibit the placement of those signs on public property or in public rights of way. According to Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart, the public rights of way are those areas adjacent to public streets generally 10 feet from the curb line or edge of the pavement. Non-commercial signs are defined as political signs, those expressing an opinion on a noncommercial issue, and signs posted by charitable and nonprofit organizations to publicize social events. “The motivation for enforcing the existing ordinance is the concern that has been expressed about the proliferation of signs throughout the borough,” Hart advised. “All noncommercial signs are prohibited in public rights of way and on public property, not just political or opinion signs.” Hart emphasized, however, that the borough will provide the opportunity for local charitable and non-profit organizations to promote their events on the borough’s website and in its e-blast program by which all residents who register receive e-mails about certain borough announcements. The existing ordinance permits temporary signs such as real estate for sale or Open House signs, major subdivision signs, building under construction signs, announcements of future events, streamers, flags/pennants, and non-commercial signs in all zoning districts. Each type of sign has certain restrictions in terms of size, number, and time of posting. Sewer system ordinance (continued from page 3) charges of the NBCUA, the charges of the pump stations and ejector station operation and maintenance costs, and will create a reasonable reserve for maintenance and repairs. The sewer service charge will be an annual fee that will begin on the date when a building connection is approved by the borough and will remain in effect until modified by an ordinance. According to NBCUA Spokesman Paul McEntyre, the installation of the sewer system is 75 percent complete. Work on the roadways has stopped for the winter and will resume at the beginning of March, weather permitting. He added, however, that the work on the pumping station behind the Franklin Crossing Shopping Center will continue during the winter months. NBCUA officials have also advised that upon completion, the new Franklin Lakes sewer system will initially process up to 90,000 gallons of the borough’s wastewater per day at the authority’s Waldwick. The new system will provide protection of the community’s groundwater quality and eliminate environmental threats from the potential failure of aging septic systems. The sewer system will also eliminate six old treatment plants due to the advancement of the latest sewer treatment technology. The NBCUA recently received the “Saviors of the Environment” award from the New Jersey Alliance for Action for launching the $4 million sanitary sewer system for the Franklin Lakes Central Business District and surrounding areas. Non-commercial signs cannot be larger than 15 feet square. They cannot be located closer than 10 feet from the curb line in front of the property on which 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 borough code are not permitted in the public right of way, on public property, on any road right of way, road easement, access easement, or county roadway. Hart advised that notices about the enforcement of the ordinance have been sent to organizations that typically post these signs. A press release will also be on the borough’s website, in an e-blast, and on the borough’s Facebook page. When enforcement begins in the beginning of February, Hart said, those who post signs will be notified to warn them they are violating the ordinance. He acknowledged that there are fines set forth in the ordinance for violations, but emphasized that the borough’s goal is compliance and not imposing fines. The complete ordinance relating to signs can be found on the borough’s website at www.franklinlakes.org under Borough Code Article XVI #300-128.