Sign Companies Benefit by Working with Local Officials
What does it really take to cultivate working relationships with local officials to affect better sign code and regulations in your community?
A common frustration of sign companies is an inability to influence positively the thinking of local permitting and enforcement officials. Last week, a very successful municipal workshop was held in Kittery, ME. ISA’s Kenny Peskin joined Northeast States Sign Association President Mike Leary (Sundance Sign; Dover, N.H.) in presenting an hour-long workshop analyzing the problems and frustrations of the town’s existing sign ordinance. The workshop included the town planner, all members of the town planning board, and several members of the public. ISA and NSSA presented on the history of the ordinance, issues of enforcement, legal concerns, and shortcomings in the language of the current regulations. Signage Foundation, Inc. (SFI) research was also presented. In the coming months, Kittery plans to rewrite the town’s sign ordinance in its entirety.
Because of this workshop, key decision makers have the right education and information to make better decisions about sign codes in their communities. Already, the Planning Board voted to eliminate phrase “LED lighting” from the current code language, in order to address complaints that inadvertently restricted LED use as an internal lighting source. Going forward, ISA and NSSA will continue to work with the town of Kittery as well as other New England communities that learn about the well-received assistance that aided the planning board’s efforts.
To do this in your community, contact ISA’s David Hickey. For more information about NSSA’s work with Kittery and other New England communities, contact Jean Gavigan, Executive Director, Northeast States Sign Association.
