Vandalism a Sign of the Times?

A rash of missing street signs in the vicinity of Gallup Hill and Town Farm roads has gotten the attention of town officials, who say the sign-stealing spree already has cost the town $500.

Public Works Director Steve Masalin said he took a drive through the area Wednesday morning after a town employee reported missing street signs. He said he counted 10 missing signs, all taken within the past week or so.

Masalin said the signs cost the town $50 each. As he spoke, a town employee in an adjacent office reported yet another sign gone.

Make that $550.

“It’s crazy,” said Mayor Fred B. Allyn Jr. “People will steal anything.”

Masalin said it was by federal mandate that the town changed to the new, shiny green signs, which require less maintenance and are more visible than the old stone pillars. "They were hard to read," he said of the pillars – and also harder to steal. 

The town has scheduled new signs to be installed in the Highlands, but Masalin said that project may need to be put on hold until the case of the missing street signs is solved.

Anyone with information about the missing signs is asked to call the Ledyard Police Department at 860 464-6400.