NEW APP OWNERS ORDERED TO REMOVE LAWN SIGNS

You've seen the signs around town for Who We Use, the new local app that allows friends and neighbors to share their favorite local services online and via their mobile devices.

But you may not have known that the signs were illegal, according to township officials who have been ordering those who placed them on their property to remove them or face fines. 

The Township Committee on Tuesday reiterated the directive, telling Who We Use owners Spencer Ante and John Garbarino -- both Maplewood residents -- that their promotional pieces of wood, which began popping up last week, violate code enforcement laws against promoting commercial enterprises.

"Right now your signs violate the ordinance," Mayor Vic De Luca told the duo after they pitched their business during public comment. "I think you need to tell your friends to take them down."

Township officials pointed out that the Township code allows such signs for local contractors, but only during the time that they are doing work. They also stated that election signs fall under a different category and have been deemed free speech by the U.S. Supreme Court.

But TC members, including Marlon Brownlee, hinted that the code could be changed to allow for home-based businesses that are online and said the issue would be reviewed by the code enforcement officer and the Township's code enforcement committee.

Who We Use owners said they had positioned 45 signs around town and that some homeowners who had placed them were directed to take them down or face fines.

Although the business owners pleaded their case as a new business in town, the officials stood firm.

"We are obviously disappointed with what has taken place here," Ante told the governing body. "Times do change."

See clips of the discussion related to the signs below: