Politics & Government

Future Use of Town Signs Raises Questions, Debate

Such signs include the town's large electronic sign and video-style signs seen on top of gas pumps.

Officials in Westwood are looking to potentially change the town's zoning bylaw on the use of certain signs by the town and local businesses.  

A warrant article proposed by the Westwood Planning Board during the Finance Commission's public hearing Monday would aim to clarify the definition on how certain signs in town would be used and/or displayed.

The proposal stems from complaints the Planning Board received from residents about the use of the large changeable electronic signs used by the town; the Westwood building department also received requests for permits to allow for video media displays at local businesses, according to a warrant article summary.

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Neither of the signs are addressed in the town's current bylaw, and the proposed article aims to provide a more easily understood document. 

The matter regarding the town's movable electronic sign raised notable concern amongst residents and officials.

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"Right now there's a sign that kind of travels around town at the ," Loughnane said. "Some residents don't feel that sign fits in with the character of the town. This is to prevent those signs from being used for non-safety reasons, or for advertising."

The concern, she added, was that many of the town's other signs are made of wood or wood-like material, whereas this sign is not.

But the matter on tweaking the use of the changeable signs didn't sit well with Board of Selectmen Chair Pat Ahearn.

"I am horrified," Ahearn said Monday night. "We announce fireworks, football games, a variety of things. I can't believe you're even considering that as a potential change. I would urge you to reconsider that at this point in time. I am speaking as a citizen, not as a member of the Board of Selectmen."

Planning Board Chair Stephen Rafsky noted that the board has yet to fully discuss the matter, and said he understand Ahearn's concerns.

"I personally agree," Rafsky said. "I'm a little bothered with the way things are being laid out. We have not discussed this; this is trying to respond to what's before us. Our concerns are really more with the video-type signs."

He added, "I think people are responding to the hard signs versus electronic signs. Whenever we see electronic signs, there tends to be the argument that it doesn't fit into the community."

The video media display-type signs, meanwhile, pertain to small advertising signs used at local gas stations on gas pumps and in the windows of other types of businesses. Westwood Zoning Board Chair David Krumsiek asked that the Planning Board write a definition for the types of displays to be included in the town's bylaw, Loughnane explained.

If the article is passed, any sign on the inside of a business window or on gas pump must not be facing traffic, and no more than four of the signs would be allowed on a business property at one time. The signs would not be allowed to exceed 1.5 square feet, or about the size of a 17-inch computer monitor. 

"The intent of this was the Planning Board was concerned about distractions," Loughnane said. "Especially distractions when driving down the street."

Like Warrant Article 12, , the Planning Board will discuss the matter of signs at more length during a public hearing on March 13. 


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