Chairman: William Manter
Members Present: 8:00 p.m. arrival = Richard Baker, Ralph Viscomi, Laurie Levy
8:15 p.m. arrival = Kim Ames
Members Absent: None
Recorder: William Manter
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. for the sole purpose to decide as to whether to place the proposed sign bylaw amendment onto the town warrant.
Mr. Baker explained the background of the proposed article as follows: In an attempt to better define the present signage regulations, Nancy Colbert Puff, then Town Administrator, had sent to the Planning Board a draft document based on Melrose’s signage bylaw. Mr. Baker edited Ms. Puff’s draft to eliminate major inconsistencies with the present bylaw. Most of the changes were included in a subsection entitled “General Regulations”. He submitted the draft to the Selectmen’s office on March 5, the same day as the regular March Planning Board meeting. Subsequently, the draft was forwarded by the Selectmen to Town Counsel along with other proposed warrant articles. Attorney Falk, from Town Counsel’s office, reviewed the draft document. He found
additional conflicts with the present bylaw and expressed serious reservations about including it on the warrant. When notified of this by Lori Esposito, Mr. Baker asked Mr. Manter to convene a special meeting to determine if the Board would advance the bylaw changes this year.
Mr. Manter noted that he felt any restrictions placed on political signs might not be well received by the public. Ms. Levy noted that when she was a Southborough resident, a lengthy and broad-based fact-finding committee process had been used and that present Southborough business owners had been consulted for their input.
Mr. Viscomi made a motion to withdraw the article from this year’s warrant but to pursue the issue in the upcoming year, seeking broad public and business community input; Mr. Baker seconded. All in favor; none opposed; motion approved.
Mr. Baker made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Viscomi seconded; all in favor; none opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
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