Town Meeting Passes Resolution In Opposition To Sign On Town Land

BURLINGTON, MA — Town meeting voted Monday to express their opposition to the monument sign license granted on town land for the Shoppes at Simonds Park. The resolution does not cancel the license, and town and committee officials explained that the license was legal, but the voters were near-unanimous, in expressing their displeasure. The sign, a 14-foot monument sign, was approved by the Board of Selectmen to be on a town-owned right-of-way.

Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Phyllis Neufeld introduced the resolution, which read, "Town meeting wishes to put on record our opposition to the 14-foot sign at the Shoppes at Simonds park that the selectmen approved on town-owned land."

The Selectmen voted three to two in favor of the sign, with with Selectmen Nick Priest and Robert Hogan voting against. Priest, speaking to town meeting, explained that the town bylaws do allow the selectmen to decide what signage is placed on public land.

Zoning Bylaw Review Committee Chair Shari Ellis explained that right-of-ways are unzoned, so they don't fall under the zoning bylaws and thus petitioners did not need to follow the normal process.

"Usually zoning doesn't stretch into the middle of the street," Ellis said.

A couple of voters explained that while they understand the value of the sign—some of the businesses at the Shoppes will be at the back the building—they would have liked to see the developer follow the standard process, even if the process they followed was legal. Others worried that this decision would set a precedent.

Voters asked that Ellis's committee look into how the bylaws could be changed so the selectmen not have this authority in the future.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.