Dear Editor:
This letter relates to Between the Lines mention of political signs on utility poles.
All outdoor advertising along the roadways in New Jersey is comprehensively regulated by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) under the Roadside Sign Control and Outdoor Advertising Act effective January 17, 1992, and codified at N.J.S.A. 27:5-5., et. seq.
The Office of Outdoor Advertising Services in the NJ DOT has authorized the utility companies to consider and approve or reject individual requests to place municipality sponsored or supported holiday decorations, and temporary advertising materials related to municipality sponsored or supported events on their utility poles.
Beyond complying with the NJDOT policy discussed above, utilities cannot give permission to any party to place commercial, political, garage sale, lost pet and other statutorily prohibited advertising signs on its utility poles.
Utility poles are not designed for signage; and, utilities strongly discourage the posting of any sign on these poles.
While these poles seem like the ideal place to advertise the latest diet fad, summer job or political campaign, the posting of any sign is illegal.
This practice compromises the safety of utility employees. When employees need to maneuver around staples, nails or existing signs, the risk of injury increases.
In addition to the safety of utility employees, many towns have indicated such postings are an eyesore, and negatively impact the aesthetics of the community.
In a February 25, 1993 letter, NJDOT Administrator of Outdoor Advertising William A. Norton wrote:
“The Roadside Sign Control and Outdoor Advertising Act (N.J.S.A. 27:5-5 et.seq.) requires the Commissioner of Transportation to supervise and regulate signs and outdoor advertising with the State of New Jersey. The Outdoor Advertising Regulations (N.J.A.C. 16:41C) adopted by the Department attempt to meet the mandate of the State Act and the Highway Beautification Act, Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, and other federal requirements.
The primary intent of the statutes and regulations is to provide effective control of signs and billboards along the state and federal highways. However, supervision and control of all other outdoor advertising signs (county routes, city streets, train stations, etc.) also fall within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner.
The statute and adopted regulations each prohibit signs from being attached to utility poles.
However, it was not the intent to prohibit holiday decorations, welcome banners or other municipality supported or approved events from utilizing the poles providing they had permission from the utility companies.”
The laws were enacted to balance the need to control and regulate roadside signs and outdoor advertising, promote the scenic beauty of the State, provide for the safety and convenience of the public, and the need to stimulate economic and commercial activity.
Richard Dwyer, PSE&G,
Public Affairs Manager