Sign Bylaw Discussed in Joint Meeting

Easton's town committees are planning to work together to find a final solution to Easton's bylaw relating to internally illuminated signs, which was amended at

The bylaw, established in 2010 to ban internally lit signs for businesses not "grandfathered in" was changed in May to allow certain new businesses, particularly those in large plazas, to have internally lit sings with approval from the Planning and Zoning Board.

The quick change was added to help businesses Now, the board is looking to add a more comprehensive bylaw regarding internally illuminated signage.

"We need to come up with a bylaw that is sensitive to existing internally illuminated properties," Planning and Zoning Chair Gregory Strange said Monday in a joint meeting with the Historical Commission. "At the same time, we should look at specifying parts of towns that are more historical."

Strange pointed to a bylaw passed in Milton that developed a "sign and facade handbook" as something Easton should consider, while Historical Commission Chair John Ventresco pointed to plazas in Falmouth and elsewhere on Cape Cod as examples of well-done external lighting - a practice the commission would like to see in more Easton areas.

Additionally, the board is considering re-establishing a signage committee.

"There should be a cross-pollination of all boards here," Strange said.