BY MAURA DOWGIN
Staff Writer
EDISON — Residents are outraged over a billboard on the New Jersey Turnpike they say is causing a nuisance in their neighborhood.
A billboard for Heller Industrial Park erected on the turnpike, between exits nine and 10, is illuminating all the residences in the neighborhood of Briar Avenue and Trenton Avenue, said William Maldonado, who lives on Briar Avenue.
"All of a sudden they just sprang up," he said.
The residents are usually informed of anything that will affect their quality of life, Maldonado said.
"Normally anytime anything is going to be done in the neighborhood, they come and let us know," he said.
The sign comes up above the wall that separates homes from the street, said Angelina Maldonado. It is much higher than any sign they have ever seen on the roadway.
"It has physically made me sick," she said. The sign has caused stress because of the bright shining light and its "unsightliness."
The real worry the neighbors have is that the signs and the bright lights will reduce property values in the neighborhoods near the turnpike, she said.
"I want them to be taken down, period," she said.
There is a petition, which currently has about 42 signatures, being passed around the neighborhood asking for something to be done about the large signs.
Township officials said they will contact the Turnpike Authority to see if the sign was erected correctly.
"The Turnpike Authority is a state authority so we’re pre-empted by them," said Councilman Parag Patel.
The Turnpike Authority has said the signs are not theirs.
"They’re not our billboards. We have no billboards in that area. We only have billboards north of Elizabeth," said Joe Orlando, spokesman for the authority.
The Zoning Board would have had to approve the signs being put onto the roadway because it is not New Jersey Turnpike Authority land, he said.
The board did approve two signs to be put on Heller Industrial Park property, but not on the turnpike, said Margaret Blasi, board secretary.
However, she said no further details were available.