Selectmen to discuss sign bylaws
A bylaw adopted three years ago was designed to crack down on signs being placed any and everywhere in town, and on Tuesday Selectmen said they will soon discuss enforcement options.
Though no decisions were made during the Board of Selectmen meeting, board members agreed to put it on the agenda in the future.
A bylaw aimed at codifying the rules and making them enforceable was adopted by town meeting in October 2013. The bylaw states that any new sign requires a permit, except for the following:
Address signs, awning signs, construction signs, for sale signs, political signs, flags, window signs and off-premises directional signs that direct people to local businesses. Although these signs do not require permits, they still must meet certain specifications within the bylaw in regards to size and placement.
Also included in that group are signs that direct people to one day events such as yard sales, open houses, road races, lost pets, etc. Those signs can be displayed on a public or private ways for a maximum of 18 hours but: "may not be placed on public trees, poles, lightpoles, etc."
Last year, the Selectmen expressed frustration about signs around town placed without permits.
Back then, and at Tuesday night's meeting, Selectmen Alan Slavin pointed out that the director of Inspectional Services can appoint anyone he sees fit to remove the offending signs.
"We're just gonna figure out who the players are and what the issues are and get rolling on that," said Selectmen Peter Teitelbaum.
Chair Judith Whiteside limited conversation regarding the bylaw, and motioned for a vote to discuss it at a later date.