Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Bridgewater, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Bridgewater, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Bridgewater, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
CorrespondentUnder normal circumstances, Everson Pereira would likely be getting a lot more attention playing for the Somerset Patriots this season.These are not normal circumstances, however.Teammates with Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells, Pereira, the No. 5 prospect in the Yankees organization, largely flies under the radar at TD Bank Ballpark.The well-rounded 22-year-old outfielder, who signed out of Venezuela for a reported $1.5 million in 2017, has steadily climbed the ladder in the minors and...
Correspondent
Under normal circumstances, Everson Pereira would likely be getting a lot more attention playing for the Somerset Patriots this season.
These are not normal circumstances, however.
Teammates with Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells, Pereira, the No. 5 prospect in the Yankees organization, largely flies under the radar at TD Bank Ballpark.
The well-rounded 22-year-old outfielder, who signed out of Venezuela for a reported $1.5 million in 2017, has steadily climbed the ladder in the minors and is back with the Patriots after finishing last season there following a mid-July promotion from High-A Hudson Valley.
Pereira performed well in Double-A last season, hitting .283 with five homers and 13 RBI in 29 games, but missed the end of the regular season and playoffs due to an undisclosed injury. Even with that early success, his aspirations remain the same.
“The goal has been the same in my career,” Pereira told reporters last week through manager Raul Dominguez serving as translator. “I’m just trying to be better every day, and just trying to help my team to win games every day. That’s the goal that I always have had since I started playing baseball.”
Things haven’t come as easily at the plate thus far this season, with a .240 batting average and just one homer and 12 RBI in his first 83 plate appearances. In the field, however, Pereira, who came up almost exclusively a center fielder, has played all three outfield spots for Somerset; he has eight starts in center, eight in left and five in right.
With outfield spots in the Bronx seemingly always in flux of late, Pereira knows that could be the ticket to reach the big leagues quicker.
“I really like playing all three positions,” he said. “I know that’s another opportunity I have to be better in all three positions … it doesn’t matter if it’s left, center or right. I want to learn every day in each position.”
More:Yankees top catching prospect Austin Wells healthy, rejoins Somerset with fresh outlook
More:Yankees developing highly touted starters at Double-A Somerset
While Dominguez is also moving off his perch in center to play some left field as well, it is perhaps more relevant to the big-league club that Pereira is doing so, given his status on the 40-man roster. Although he’s yet to reach Triple-A, there would be a clear path for the Yankees to summon him to Yankee Stadium if a need arose, but Pereira says it isn’t something he’s let himself think too much about.
“I like to put pressure on myself, it doesn’t matter if I’m on the 40-man roster or not,” he said. “I’m just trying to do the best. I know it’s a part of my job, and I can handle how to deal with it. I know the pressure is there, and I have to keep doing what I’m doing every day.
“I don’t expect that call yet,” he added. “I know it can happen, but I don’t think about that too much. I just think about the day-by-day, working hard every day. If it happened and I got that call, I would be happy, and my goal is to be in the big leagues for sure, but I’m thinking about working every day.”
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater Township was named as one of the best places to live in America and the Garden State for 2023, according to a new set of rankings released by Niche.Sections of the township were broken down on the list. Martinsville was ranked as the 11th best place to live in New Jersey out of 641 and the 220th best place to live in America out of 17,916.Bradley Gardens was ranked as the 47th best place to live in New Jersey out of 641 and the 608th best place to live in Ame...
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater Township was named as one of the best places to live in America and the Garden State for 2023, according to a new set of rankings released by Niche.
Sections of the township were broken down on the list. Martinsville was ranked as the 11th best place to live in New Jersey out of 641 and the 220th best place to live in America out of 17,916.
Bradley Gardens was ranked as the 47th best place to live in New Jersey out of 641 and the 608th best place to live in America out of 17,916.
Green Knoll was ranked as the 86th best place to live in New Jersey out of 641 and the 1,231st best place to live in America out of 17,916.
Finderne was ranked as the 201st best place to live in New Jersey out of 641 and the 3,470th best place to live in America out of 17,916.
The "Best Places to Live" rankings include cities, city neighborhoods and suburbs. Niche defines a place as a "non-rural town" with a population of 1,000 or more, including neighborhoods, suburbs and cities. Niche also separately ranked the best cities, neighborhoods and suburbs to live in.
The platform released the 2023 Best Places to Live in America list on Monday, along with rankings by state.
Here's how Niche graded each section of Bridgewater Township in the following categories:
Martinsville received an overall Niche Grade of A+ for 2023.
Martinsville also ranked as the number 1 best place to live in the Somerset County area, the 14th best place to raise a family out of 639 and the 43rd best public schools out of 573 in New Jersey.
Bradley Gardens received an overall Niche Grade of A+ for 2023.
Bradley Gardens also ranked as the 7th best place to live in the Somerset County area, the 38th best place to raise a family out of 639 and the 52nd best public schools out of 573 in New Jersey.
Green Knoll received an overall Niche Grade of A+ for 2023.
Green Knoll also ranked as the 10th best place to live in the Somerset County area, the 67th best place to raise a family out of 639 and the 46th best public schools out of 573 in New Jersey.
Finderne received an overall Niche Grade of A for 2023.
Finderne also ranked as the 23rd best place to live in the Somerset County area, the 136th best place to raise a family out of 639 and the 51st best public schools out of 573 in New Jersey.
The top 10 best places to live in New Jersey are:
BRIDGEWATER – Revised plans for the conversion of a Route 22 hotel into 128 apartments now include 40 affordable units.The inclusion of the affordable units in the conversion of the Hyatt House solves a problem for Bridgewater.When the township settled its litigation with Advance Realty Investors over ...
BRIDGEWATER – Revised plans for the conversion of a Route 22 hotel into 128 apartments now include 40 affordable units.
The inclusion of the affordable units in the conversion of the Hyatt House solves a problem for Bridgewater.
When the township settled its litigation with Advance Realty Investors over the development of the former Sanofi campus on Route 202-206, it solved one problem but created another.
With the plans for 400 apartments dropped, the township was left with the dilemma of where to locate 40 court-mandated affordable housing units that were included in the plan.
Last August, the Township Council voted to pay $590,000 to GCP Bridgewater, owner of the Route 22 property, to "incentivize" the inclusion of 40 affordable apartments in the proposed conversion.
The money will come from the township's affordable housing fund, which is separate from taxpayer money.
The Council also approved an ordinance rezoning the property just west of Country Club Road on the eastbound lane of Route 22.
If the Council could not find a location for the 40 affordable units, Bridgewater could have been subject to a Builder's Remedy lawsuit in which a developer would be allowed to build a 400-unit community with a 10% set-aside for affordable apartments.
More:Bridgewater wins court battle over residents' rights to privacy
The 5-acre Route 22 property was sold to GCP Bridgewater by BRE NE Hospitality HH Bridgewater in December 2018 for $13.5 million. The quarterly property taxes on the lot are $70,672.80.
Township officials say that once the hotel is converted into apartments, the property tax revenue will increase.
The hotel has 128 rooms in five three-story buildings and one two-story building. The current configuration has 71 one-bedroom units, 38 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units, all with kitchens. The one-bedroom units are 576 square feet, while the two-bedroom units are 864 square feet.
The property has a pool, barbecue area and sport court.
The Planning Board’s public hearing on the conversion is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 25.
A variance is required because 196 parking spaces are provided when 242 spaces are required.
Email: [email protected]
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account.
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An application by Signature Acquisitions, LLC to tear down four, three-story buildings off Route 22 and build two warehouse buildings in Bridgewater has been withdrawn, announced Councilman Timothy Ring on Tuesday."I have been informed that earlier today the lawyer representing Signature Acquisitions called the Bridgewater Township Planner to notify the town that they are withdrawing their application," said Ring.Ring added that the township is still waiting to receive written notification of t...
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An application by Signature Acquisitions, LLC to tear down four, three-story buildings off Route 22 and build two warehouse buildings in Bridgewater has been withdrawn, announced Councilman Timothy Ring on Tuesday.
"I have been informed that earlier today the lawyer representing Signature Acquisitions called the Bridgewater Township Planner to notify the town that they are withdrawing their application," said Ring.
Ring added that the township is still waiting to receive written notification of the withdrawal.
The initial application for Block 206 Lot 3 off Route 22 at the Center Pointe Office Building was seeking to build two warehouse buildings, one with a net floor area of 142,000 square feet and one with a net floor area of 138,000 square feet. Read More: 2 Warehouses Proposed On Route 22 In Bridgewater, Public Hearing Set
Two driveways were also proposed along Route 22, and one driveway was proposed along Jackson Street. Multiple variances were being sought.
The application received backlash from Bridgewater Township residents along with the borough of Somerville.
Somerville passed an ordinance in July 2022 that banned trucks weighing over four tons and warehouse-affiliated trucks that may have to use the county’s Main Street or banned side streets to travel to and from the proposed warehouse site, Sullivan said during a Jan. 17 borough council meeting.
This is the second application before the Zoning Board of Adjustment withdrawn in the last month.
On March 31, Catalyst Experiential of Newton Town Square, Pennsylvania withdrew its applications to erect three electronic monument billboard displays throughout Bridgewater Township. Read More: 3 Monument Display Applications Withdrawn In Bridgewater, 1 Remains
There is still one more monument display proposed to be built by Catalyst Experiential on township property off Route 202/206 near the Interstate 287 merge. Read more: Electronic Monument Billboard To Be Erected In Bridgewater
The application will be tentatively scheduled for the Planning Board's Tuesday, April 25 meeting. The Township Council was set to also hear the second reading of an ordinance to award a lease to 100 Commons L Bridgewater LH, LLC to construct the display at the April 20 meeting. Read More: Details Of Proposed Bridgewater Electronic Monument Display Shared
BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater planning board's master plan consistency determination and recommendation on an ordinance awarding a lease to construct an electronic monument display on a portion of township property at 100 commons way has been rescheduled for April 25.Despite the postponement, residents spoke against the ordinance April 11, saying they could see no benefit to residents or Bridgewater despite the ordinance stating that the township is seeking to place the electronic display on the property for the benefit of residen...
BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Bridgewater planning board's master plan consistency determination and recommendation on an ordinance awarding a lease to construct an electronic monument display on a portion of township property at 100 commons way has been rescheduled for April 25.
Despite the postponement, residents spoke against the ordinance April 11, saying they could see no benefit to residents or Bridgewater despite the ordinance stating that the township is seeking to place the electronic display on the property for the benefit of residents.
Catalyst Experiential submitted the only bid for the lease at $1,000,000 and will pay $12,000 annually over a 30-year lease if the Bridgewater Township Council approves the ordinance at a public hearing May 4.
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The proposed electronic display will sit on top of brick veneer columns, bringing the total height to 36.5 feet and the width to about 51 feet. The electronic billboard alone is about 45 feet wide by 18.5 feet high.
Catalyst notes that one benefit to Bridgewater is that the display will also serve as a communications platform. The township can use one advertising slot every two minutes at zero cost to display messages, including emergency messages.
However, resident Cathy Franco said that Bridgewater already has a messaging system, and it works fine.
"Please tell me what public service this does for the citizens because there are so many other ways for the messages to get out to Bridgewater residents," said Franco. "We all get alerts on our phones. We're all on social media. We all get the newsletter. There are ways for us to get immediate notices, as well as sign up for soccer, and we're giving away free trees, whatever. There are other ways to get the message out rather than selling our souls and renting out the municipal property to a for-profit."
"We also need to recognize that even based upon the plans, which were recently released to the public, they would not meet the codes for C-2 zoning," she added.
The C-2 Regional Retail Business Zone permits signs that don't exceed the maximum established under the Bridgewater’s sign regulations.
Franco said she hopes the planning board looks carefully at the master plan revision and reexamination report adopted in 2022. One of the last objectives in the master plan report is to develop strategies that “enhance Bridgewater’s quality of life; this includes by vesting in stable complexes within the context of a zoning ordinance that respects the surrounding areas and affords consistency with zoning."
The report lists six other objectives, including reconciling the uses along the highway corridors to correlate to zoning. And Franco said she never pictured a billboard as wide as the back of Bridgewater's municipal court room and higher than the ceiling.
"Since 1991, we have had certain ordinances on the books about the size and the types of signage that are permitted," she said, "how big they're allowed to be, no more than 100 square feet, no advertising signs higher than 20 feet. You know, I mean, we have specific ordinances in place. The way in which this town is going about, moving forward, without a level of transparency is beyond belief."
However, Catalyst believes that by integrating landscaping and building materials that reflect the municipal building and surrounding environment, the proposed display will create an aesthetic gateway into the municipal complex on 100 Commons Way.
But resident Gerie Madak said that's just their opinion, and one she disagrees with.
"I think these things are a fad that will become dated,” she said. “I think the colors are so bright and blinding. I don't see them as aesthetically appealing at all.”
The other objectives in the master plan report include preserving the development character and quality of the township; promoting a well-balanced variety of residential, recreational public, commercial industrial and conservation land uses; guiding land development and location of community facilities to meet the needs of residents and to promote the preservation of the environment; coordinating growth with the needed expansion of public facilities and services; and promoting the conservation of natural systems which characterize the township.
Along with questions on how a large electronic billboard fits into the character of Bridgewater, residents are concerned about the environmental impact. The display is proposed next to the solar panels on Route 202/206, south of the animal shelter and Kidstreet Playground, and residents are worried that Catalyst will need to cut down trees near Kidstreet.
Bridgewater resident John Arcoleo said he's concerned that Catalyst will go to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and ask to have trees cut down along the highway, "that will denude the trees behind the animal shelter and Kidstreet, in order to get their 800 feet line of sight," he said, referring to the need to ensure the sign is visible 800 feet from the highway.
But residents say the trees at Kidstreet are an important barrier between the playground and the highway.
“You are here to protect this town,” said Franco. “You are here to protect the residents, to protect what we treasure most in this town. We just redid the logo, and we put trees on it. Well, we're going to cut down how many trees to put up this monument. I mean, think about those things.”
Patti Selikoff is a mother of three in Bridgewater. She said she takes her children to Kidstreet and is worried that removing the trees between the playground and the highway will be detrimental to the air quality at the playground since trees absorb carbon dioxide from car emissions, and there’s a highway nearby.
"I'll be honest, I've been there many, many hours, and I've never really even thought about the cars going by because it does block, the pollution block, the noise block, everything,” she said. “There's a little slice of heaven in Bridgewater that's not full of cars."
Arcoleo said he doesn’t have a lot of faith in Catalyst based on its past. First, in 2022 when they illegally cut down trees around their billboard on Route 202 in East Whiteland Township, PA, they were fined a $151,000 penalty and $15,000 for expenses incurred by the township. And in March, he said, a contractor filed a lawsuit in the state Superior Court in Burlington County against them and other LLCs involved for allegedly not paying them for part of the construction of an EMS building and billboard in Mount Laurel Township.
“Abusing its public-private partnership twice,” he said, adding that Bridgewater only has $1,200 in security bid and no protection against the company if things go south. “You people, do your job. I know it's tough, you don't get paid for this, but you're really going to have to do your work. It does require some effort to understand what this company wants to do, and how they're going to accomplish it.”
The ordinance for the lease was introduced to the Bridgewater Township Council on March 16 and referred to the planning board for review and recommendation. Catalyst will present its proposal to the planning board on April 25, which could carry over to the next meeting on May 2.
Once the council receives the planning board’s recommendation, the council will hold a public hearing and vote on the ordinance. The public hearing and council vote is currently set for May 4.
Residents have also started a petition against the sign, with 1,029 signatures, as of Friday.
