By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIPSeveral residents who live near the Shoppes at Glen Plaza on Route 206 told the Township Committee on Monday that the lights from the complex are too bright, too high, and are keeping them from sleeping at night.
Two residents told of their frustration with the bright lighting and asked what the committee plans to do about the problem.
Ted Franckowiak, of Orchard Lane, delivered a petition to the committee with more than 50 signatures asking the township to take measures to lower the lights.
Mayor George Chidley said that steps are being taken to shield the light that shines onto the houses at night, and that the township is communicating with the landowner and PSE&G, who maintain the lighting features on the property.
He said the township had made a request to the property owner to add more shields and that measures will be taken to correct the problem. Mr. Franckowiak reported that the problems have been going on for approximately a year, “right after they turned on the lights.” He said he is frustrated with the delayed response with getting anything done to dim the lights.
A few months after the lights were installed, 4- by4-inch metal “shields” were installed, to direct the light downward, instead of letting it diffuse into the area around it.
Still, Mr. Franckowiak and his neighbor, Mary Ann Langelle, said that the shields have not done enough to help with their concerns.
”Nobody sleeps in my house anymore,” she said. “It’s too bright.”
In a written complaint to the township, Ms. Langelle described it as “outrageous amounts of light in long distances and in all directions on to neighboring properties.”
She said she and other Orchard Avenue residents are asking the Township Committee to revise its lighting ordinance for commercial properties.
Committeeman William Morelli said he did see the lighting for himself, because a few township officials had visited the shopping plaza at 11 p.m. one evening after a Planning Board meeting.
”There were shields put on the lighting features,” said Committeeman Robert Delaney.
Still, Mr. Franckowiak said that whenever he goes outside, “trees are being lit up, and I have to shield my eyes, otherwise I cannot see in front of me.”
Mr. Franckowiak said he had met with the township on three separate occasions, and each time he had presented them with a written letter.
”I thought to myself, I really can’t fight city hall anymore on this matter,” he said.
Mr. Franckowiak said that all changed once he said he saw how blinding the light is in the winter.
During the summer months, with longer periods of sunlight and a thick tree shading (due to the two large oak trees Mr. Franckowiak has in his backyard) he said it isn’t bad, but in a few weeks that will change.
He said he felt sympathy for residents who live on the north side of Route 2006, who have car headlights shine right into the residences whenever a customer pulls into the parking lot.
The committee said that the size of the shrubbery and landscaping in front of the parking spaces had been installed according to approved plans, and that the shrubbery will eventually grow larger to mask the glare of headlights.