Foxborough Common Sign Discussion Brings Out Emotions

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Let it be known that the message boards on the Foxborough Common are not going to become electronic signs, nor will they be removed. That much is clear following the first night of a discussion on what to do with the signs.

Following the passionate, if not heated discussion about the state of the message boards, it was decided that a process will be created to allow those who want to change the board to sign up and volunteer. The discussion will continue and it is not certain if that is an end solution.

Supporters of the message board were upset over the idea that the boards were going to be converted into electronic boards, despite the fact that the town’s sign bylaw does not allow for digital signs in the area around the common. Town Historian Jack Authelet claimed that Keegan told him at a July 21 meeting that dropping the hand-edited signs was the way the town was going to go.

“The opening statement from that meeting was that the town boards had to be digitized. The reason explained to me was cost to change the message every week,” Authelet said.

Keegan, who said he was aware that digital signs are not allowed on the Common, called the controversial idea an option but he wanted to look at other options as well. He denied that there was ever a mandate to go digital when it came to the beloved signs.

“I think we agreed that the Common is no place for a digital board because of safety and to maintain the integrity of the common. I think we got off that quickly,” Selectmen Chairman David Feldman said.

Keegan said the challenge with the signs is the fact that they have to be changed manually by two people. In the past, the town used senior residents through a work-off program where the residents worked to lower their tax payments. However, once the seniors hit their hourly work limit, the town was left with not enough volunteers.

In the back and forth over the issue, Selectman Chris Mitchell said he would put the messages up himself.

"I am going to physically go there every Sunday and change the signs. For everything I’ve done for this community, this has a special space in my heart,” Mitchell said.

“It shouldn’t be left to you. Knowing that this is the issue, is this the best way to go forward? At the end of the day, there are times you’re not going to be around,” Keegan replied.

Lynda Walsh, a former selectman and current member of the Foxboro Jaycees, said she is sure the group would willing to help, along with others on the Foxborough Discussion Facebook group who said they would sign up and help.

“There were at least a dozen people who said, ‘Wait a minute, we’ll go up and help.’”

When Keegan asked if that was a practical way to solve the issue, Walsh replied, “It’s a way of life in this town and we have little things left with the character of the town and those signs are a part of it. It’s part of my heart and I bet if you ask a lot of us townies, we do look at those signs. If you raise the flag, people will come and help.”

Members of the Foxboro Lions also said they were willing to find a way to get volunteers to help, even backing the unpopular and for all intents and purposes nonexistent digital plan.

Resident Deborah Stewart claims that residents have volunteered to change the signs and were told that they were no longer accepting volunteers. Keegan denied the charge.

“This is news to me,” Keegan said.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Steward replied.

“Yeah, I’d love to know who they were,” Keegan said.

Beyond the decision to create volunteer list, nothing was declared final and the issue was tabled until a future meeting.

The discussion was a flashback to early 2013 when the idea of turning the Common signs into digital message boards was first proposed. Like Tuesday night, the pitch was largely rejected by residents and town officials.

Image: File Photo