PARK RIDGE, N.J.—Following concerns a resident raised about potential privacy and constitutional violations, the Borough Council voted, 3-2, in July to table a proposed ordinance amendment regulating the placement of signs in public spaces.
Voting to table the controversial ordinance were Michael Mintz, Robert Metzdorf and John Cozzi. Voting against tabling were William Fenwick and Greg Hoffman. Councilman Bruce Goldsmith abstained. The council next meets Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m.
Resident Howard Fredrics raised concerns about the proposed ordinance, noting that a municipal court case involving a local councilman and a related sign issue was ongoing. Moreover, Fredrics said the proposed changes would render the ordinance unconstitutional by eliminating anonymity for people posting political signs in public spaces.
Fredrics asked that the ordinance be tabled until the related municipal court case involving a current councilman is resolved and the proposed ordinance can be reviewed to eliminate its constitutional violations.
Councilman William Fenwick said the ordinance would not be retroactive and cannot be retroactive under the U.S. Constitution.
Councilman Michael Mintz agreed that the ordinance needed review. He said four council members on the dais had won primaries and that it would be “unseemly” to vote now on an ordinance directly affecting political signs that he would soon be putting up. He suggested possibly voting after the November elections. Mintz moved to table the ordinance.
Mayor Keith Misciagna said there used to be “a gentlemen’s agreement” not to flood the town with political signs in public spaces, but the proliferation of signs has worsened.
“Personally, I hate it,” Misciagna said, conceding that he also puts up signs during election season. “I think it’s visual garbage…it started about 10 years ago and it’s gotten progressively worse,” said the mayor.
Councilman Robert Metzdorf said that during the last two elections, “there were so many signs around it was visual pollution.” He said some were his campaign signs. “Maybe we could limit the area and the scope of where signs could be allowed,” Metzdorf said.
Misciagna said he would prefer such political signs at “a designated area” such as Depot Square. He said political signs from other towns also appear in local public spaces.
Cozzi, a Republican, voted to table the proposed ordinance, noting concerns about the proposed permits required to place political signs in public spaces and whether requiring permits violates a citizen’s constitutional right to post such a sign anonymously.
The proposed Ordinance 2026-018 revision stated, “Section 1. Section 101-34(C)(8) of the Code of the Borough of Park Ridge is hereby repealed and replaced by the following: 8. Election or political signs, as well as signs for non-profit entities and charities, provided that said signs do not exceed 16 square feet in area.
“In addition, a person or entity requesting to place election or political signs on public property shall pay a fee in the total amount of Twenty Five Dollars for the permit regardless of the number of signs proposed. Signs permitted under this section shall be issued ‘approved’ stickers by the Borough and any such sign must have an ‘approved’ sticker affixed if placed on public property. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit commercial signs to be placed on public property.”