Tremont Nail signs to be removed, but by who?

Feb 15, 2022

The Community Preservation Committee has requested the Select Board approve placing a request for funds to pay to remove the signs from the Tremont Nail Factory, to be up for a vote most likely at the Spring Town Meeting.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said that removing the signs will require a large crane. He said that several sign companies said the job was beyond their capabilities. Sullivan that the job will likely cost roughly $16,000 to $18,000.

“I understand that there’s a desire to preserve these things, but the flip side is we’ve just issued the second RFP that includes the potential for a long-term lease,” said Peter Teitelbaum, a member of the Select Board and Redevelopment Authority. He said that approving a long-term lease for the property could also be on the agenda at the spring town meeting, and said that with that in mind, the town might want to leave the signs for the leasee to deal with.

Alan Slavin noted that the signs are beginning to be a safety issue, especially during recent storms with strong winds. He clarified that Community Preservation Funds can only be used for the project for historical preservation reasons.

Teitelbaum suggested that the town could talk to the Bentley Company, the group that responded to the first RFP for a master developer and seems likely to reapply, to see if they have any ideas about taking care of the signs.

“It’s not just a matter of putting a ladder up,” said Select Board Chair Judith Whiteside. “They’re very heavy signs, and they’re bolted beyond bolted.”

She said that the Community Preservation Committee intends to preserve the signs, but they have to be removed first.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan presented a solution: The Select Board could go ahead and put the request for funds on the Special Spring Town Meeting warrant for April, and in the meantime, the town could discuss the sign issue with any companies that respond to the RFP.

The Board approved that course of action.