Political Group Raises Questions About Recall Signs

A political group that supports the is raising questions about the political signs throughout town. Those signs urge voters to vote "no" to keep the selectmen in office.

In a press release from "Cheating Chelmsford," spokesman Spencer Kimball claims the signs are on both public and private property and violate the town's bylaws, which say political signs must not go up until 21 days before an election.

"On Route 3A, Vinal Square, two lawn signs have been on town property for weeks. Chelmsford doesn’t allow political signs to be on private property until 21 days prior to the date of the election, which would be July 12 for the August 2 recall ... The group has identified over a dozen lawn signs on private property, which violate the town ordinance as well," the press release said.

The press release included  two photos, posted to the right.

Town Manager Paul Cohen said the photos depict route 3A, which he believes is not town-owned property but state-owned right of way, as it is a numbered state route.

Cohen said the town bylaws don't allow anyone to post their political signs until 21 days before an election, but town counsel offered an opinion several years ago that the bylaw interferes with the Constitutional right of freedom of speech.

"Therefore, over the years, candidates seeking office in the town have voluntarily complied with the provisions of the zoning bylaw, but property owners cannot be required to remove signs unless they present a danger to public safety," said Cohen.

Stefani Bush, an organizer of the anti-recall group Choose Chelmsford, said the signs in question do not belong to that organization.