The corner of North Avenue and Cross Highway is looking quite cluttered these days.
In addition to signs and posters for everything from sports (PAL football) and a charity bike ride (CT Challenge) to personal money-makers (tag sale, estate sale) and (of course) a lost dog, Fovama Rugs informs the world that they’re going out of business.
I have 2 thoughts:
- This sets a spectacularly bad precedent. What’s to prevent every business in Westport — and beyond — from hammering down their own signs advertising sales, new merchandise, a change of hours, or anything else they can think of?
- One reason Fovama might be going out of business is the sign itself. Who cares about the phone number? Isn’t it a lot smarter to tell folks where you’re located?
Fovama rugs has been sporting “going out of business” signs for 15 years…maybe longer
Ok so there are guidelines in the town about yard signs for charitable and political uses: http://www.westportct.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=233
If we all agreed to follow the rules, it could be helpful in preventing extreme “signie-ness.”
An old New Yorker cartoon shows a man propped up in a chair outside a store. Behind him the window says “Everything Must Go!, Last Chance!” etc. He is saying to his five year old son, “Someday all this will be yours.”
Here, FYI, are the town “Guidelines for Temporary Signs for Public, Charitable and Political Purposes on Public Property” — last modified in May 2005. These seem to be adhered to about as much as jaywalking laws.
The locations of temporary signs for public and charitable purposes on public property need to be reviewed and approved by the Westport Police Chief and Director of Planning and Zoning. Please send
the list of sign locations to: First Selectwoman’s Office; Westport Town Hall; 110 Myrtle Avenue;
Westport, CT 06880
• A maximum of 15 signs are allowed for each public and charitable event. This includes directional signs.
• The signs may be erected not more than 2 weeks before the event and must be removed within 2 days after the publicized event.
• The size of the sign cannot exceed 2 feet by 3 feet.
• Signs located on school property need to be authorized by the School Superintendent’s office.
• Signs cannot be placed on trees or utility poles.
• Signs cannot interfere with traffic visibility.
• Political signs cannot be placed on State of Connecticut property (including rights of way and islands along Routes 1, 136, 57, Sherwood Connector, nor on the exit or entrance ramps of I-95 or the Merritt Parkway).
• Signs on private property need to be approved by the property owner. The signs on private property shall not extend beyond the property line or into the public right-of-way and must be removed after the publicized event.
Temporary Signs for Political Purposes
Political signs are allowed on public property. Public property includes traffic islands, road rights of way and Town Parks and Recreation facilities, with the following conditions:
• Signs on the Town’s Parks and Recreation facilities must first be approved by the Park and Recreation Director.
• Signs located on the Town’s public school properties must first be approved by the School Superintendent’s office.
• Signs cannot interfere with traffic visibility.
• Political signs cannot be placed on State of Connecticut property (including rights of way and islands along Routes 1, 136, 57, Sherwood Connector, nor on the exit or entrance ramps of I-95 or the Merritt Parkway).
• Signs cannot be placed on trees or utility poles.
• Political signs located on private property need the approval of the private property owner.
When we were kids on Long Lots Rd., one of our neighbors put up a sign on our land, at the corner (permanent sign — painted wood) directing people down the side street to his house. I still remember my mild-mannered father going out with a hatchet and chopping it down!! Go Dad.
DAN: Your 2 comments make sense.Certainly this sign issue will not go away. However, it would become interesting if the town eneacted a $ fine for improper sign or display usage by sign owners to make certain they did not clutter up the landscape and also removed the signs after a timely period. JOHN G.LAMBROS jlambros@jglambros.com.
Just an observation… There are several personal training and other businesses that have put their placards up at different locals throughout town. Why all of a sudden is Fovama Rugs the tipping point!!! No one from the town or the state is holding anyone accountable. Unless its political (which should be limited to a few weeks prior to voting), fundraising, or a truly special town event, ie fireworks (fundraiser) … Any business caught should be fined and sent a bill for clean up… In regards to the others… They to should be held accountable to a timely clean up…. Now can we work on the aholes who think the world is their ashtray and flicks cigarette butts out their cars