The public should have a chance to weigh in before the Town passes an ordinance allowing an electronic sign at Town Hall, the Town Council chair recommended at the Oct. 13 council meeting.
Chair John James proposed a public hearing on the proposal to install an electronic sign in front of Town Hall in response to feedback from many residents “who did not know or didn’t get enough information” about Town business and Town events in the past.
An electronic sign has been part of the design plan for the 101-year-old building’s renovation.
The council voted 3-1 to schedule an Oct. 27 public hearing on the sign, which would follow the public hearing on Paul Street parking. Vice Chair Mallory Cook was not in attendance at the meeting.
Councilor Sam Flinkstrom, the sole “no” vote on a public hearing, said that while there are “good intentions” regarding an electronic sign, “in terms of aesthetics, I am not in favor of how it would look.”
According to James, an electronic sign outside Town Hall would be effective in advertising town meetings and events to the public. It could be limited to Town information such as parking bans and council meeting dates, he noted.
“Whose responsibility will it be to update it?” asked Councilor Joel Martin, who also noted that an electronic sign might be in violation of a town ordinance prohibiting such signage if the current ban is not revised by the Planning Board.
Planning Board member Tony Palazzetti, in attendance at the meeting, indicated that, while the Planning Board delayed its planned vote on an ordinance change to allow installation of an electronic sign at Town Hall, “it is certainly the purview of the council to conduct a public hearing” 0n the proposal.
The Planning Board agreed Oct. 7 to delay action on a proposed ordinance exempting the Town from the electronic sign ban after the Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee recommended the Town allow only the three existing electronic signs at two schools and the Police Department.
Resident Tamre Steinhauer, of Hill Drive, suggested the cost of the sign should be addressed at the public hearing. According to Jennifer Janelle, interim town manager, the sign would cost $30,000, including installation, utilities and a base.
