3 Electronic Monument 'Billboard' Applications Withdrawn In Bridgewater, 1 Remai

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Three applications proposing to erect electronic monument displays throughout Bridgewater Township have been withdrawn, announced Councilman Timothy Ring on Friday.

Ring initially said during the March 30 Council meeting that the applicant — Catalyst Experiential of Newton Town Square, Pennsylvania — spoke with the township zoning board attorney indicating their decision to withdraw the applications. However, Ring noted a formal written letter of their decision has not been submitted to the township yet.

As of 3:30 p.m., Ring said a formal letter was sent to the township.

The decision to withdraw the applications is based on the fact that the applicant didn't feel they had enough support from the Bridgewater Board of Adjustment members to pass the application, said Ring.

All three applications were set to be continued to be heard during the Tuesday, April 4 Board of Adjustment meeting.

Ring said he wanted to share the news about the withdrawal since the applications have received a lot of public interest.

One of the displays, which some opposing residents have called "billboards", was slated to be located on the north side of the westbound lanes of Route 22 about 1,200 feet east of the interchange with Easton Turnpike and Garretson Road.

A second display was slated to be built along Route 202/ 206 to the west and Cornell Blvd to the east in Bridgewater. And a third display at 1251 Route 22 near Adamsville Road.

Several residents opposing the monument spoke at the March 21 Board of Adjustment meeting citing concerns over the signs being a distraction to drivers and light pollution emanating from them.

Township Property Sign

There is still one more monument display proposed to be built by Catalyst Experiential on township property off Route 202/206 near the Interstate 287 merge. Read more: Electronic Monument Billboard To Be Erected In Bridgewater

The township council unanimously voted on March 2 to approve the first reading of an ordinance to award a lease to 100 Commons L Bridgewater LH, LLC to construct the display.

A public hearing along with a final vote was scheduled for March 16 but was postponed due to the public hearing requiring a 200-foot property notice to be sent out beforehand, Deputy Township Administrator Wells Winegar told Patch. Read More: Public Hearing, Vote On Electronic Monument Billboard Rescheduled

The public hearing and final vote are now scheduled for the April 20 Council meeting. The township has indicated they will be releasing more detailed plans of the display for residents before the meeting.

One resident in opposition to the signs, Patti Selikoff, has created a petition looking to "Stop Billboards in Bridgewater."

Since it launched in the past week, the petition has more than 500 signatures. The petition will be presented to the council on April 20, according to the petition.

Read the petition here.

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