Hospital Lighting, Unapproved Work to Be Discussed

Did you get your fill of local government on Election Day? No? Well, then, you're in luck.

Both the Redevelopment Meeting, and the Town Council meeting, are set for Wednesday night, starting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

, the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting is taking place at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will include public comments and additional testimony on variances requested by the attorney representing .

On Nov. 2, Williard Bergman, the attorney, and four witnesses were to present to the board in regard to the variances. Only one witness was able to speak before the meeting was concluded at 10 p.m.

Several dozen residents of Franklin Street also were in attendance, citing concerns with improper lighting being installed during the latest wave of construction projects at the Goryeb parking lot and Emergency Department entrance. In addition, residents–and Environmental Commission Chair Samantha Rothman–expressed concern over construction work that was taking place during the project not previously approved by the town. A "cease and desist" order from the town has been in place since Oct. 13.

"It sets such a bad precedent," Rothman said at the meeting. "If a major corporation in town does this, it's a big deal."

Bergman called the situation "most unfortunate."

In a prepared speech, given at the start of the hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Nov. 2, Bergman tried to diffuse what was likely to be a long and heated meeting, judging from the several dozen residents in attendance, by beating them to the pass.

"I want to address an effort by the hospital concerning procedures with revisions to any approved plan," the attorney said. "The hospital made certain changes without formerly requesting an amendment. All of this occurred without ill intent. Regardless of the reasons, this does not justify or excuse the hospital's failure to comply. It was wrong and we apologize.

"This is not indicative of how the hospital has worked with the town over the years," Bergman said.

Still, the apology has not been enough for Franklin Street resident Shelia Kolesaire. "Residents expect an environment free of obtrusive light, which according to the New Jersey Light Pollution Study Commission can be considered an invasion of privacy," on what she and other residents have said has been a failing on both the hospital, and the town.

"The [town] had the power to stop this," said Mitch Kolesaire, Sheila's husband. "Somebody was asleep. How do you let this happen?"

See the included PDF of the Zoning Board of Adjustment agenda for more information.