East Hampton Drops Plans for New Welcome Sign

A plan to bring a new “Welcome to East Hampton” sign in a small island in the middle of the downtown is no more.  

The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening not to put any sign at the corner of Main and Summit streets. The idea was introduced this month after Town Council Chairwoman Sue Weintraub, a graphic designer, had drafted up a sketch of a new sign to replace the one that was damaged in the February snowstorm.

“There was a feeling upon a part of the council to not move forward with it,” said Town Manager Michael Maniscalco.  

When asked why the council voted the idea down, Maniscalco said it the individual councilors all had their reasons.  

The concept, however, had drawn some notable criticism from local veterans in the community, mostly because of the sign's location. Town officials had considered placing the sign on a traffic island in downtown East Hampton, a move that was never finalized but become the center of a local controversy.

The reason had to do with the fact that local veterans had been using a tree on that tract of land to hang up yellow ribbons in honor of those who are serving in the military overseas. Some veterans had concerns that the sign would then become a source of advertising for the town, WFSB reported.

“It’s sacred ground for veterans,” said Ed Turner, a member of the VFW 5095. “We love East Hampton, but we don’t want a big, big sign to take away from the yellow ribbons.”  

Turner argued that the council saw so much opposition at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday — roughly 50 people showed up, he said — that they opted to cancel the idea altogether.  

Maniscalco said there are currently no plans at all to bring any new welcome sign to town.