Monument Display Billboard Hearing Pushed To July In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Planning Board hearing for the application seeking to erect an electronic monument billboard on Bridgewater Township property has been pushed to July.

The ordinance referred by the Township Council to the Planning Board was tentatively set to be reviewed on June 13 and is now carried to Tuesday, July 18.

As Planning Board consideration is a pre-requisite for Township Council action, this issue will also not be addressed by the Council until the review is completed.

As a result of the rescheduling, the Township Council public hearing, second reading of the ordinance, and vote will now most likely be held at its July 20 meeting.

Previously, at the March 2 meeting, the township council unanimously voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance to award a lease to 100 Commons L Bridgewater LH, LLC to construct the display on the municipal complex site visible to Route 202/206 near the Interstate 287 merge. Related: Electronic Monument Billboard To Be Erected In Bridgewater

The display would have Bridgewater Township's name on the top and not only feature advertisements but also township messages - such as for town events, activities, etc. - as well.

Along with the one-time lump sum payment of $1 million to the township, Bridgewater Township Attorney Christopher Corsini said the township would also receive $1,000 a month over the 30-year lease.

Concerns over light pollution and driver distraction have been raised by residents over the proposed electronic "billboard" monument display. Read More: 'Are We Up For Sale?' Residents Oppose Bridgewater Electronic Display

"Are we up for sale? Are we up for rent? I don't want to live in a town that rents ourselves out. I thought that we wanted to preserve our quality of life," said resident Cathy Franco at the April 20 meeting.

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