Hingham Voters Say No to Electronic Signs at Derby Street Shoppes

Hingham voters rejected a proposed decision to install new electronic signs at Derby Street Shoppes.

Sarah Corey, the chairman of the Planning Board  along with other town residents said the signs were too bright and  loud and  they would distract drivers and ruin the charm of the Derby Street Shoppes.

The proposed signs  are similar to the ones placed at the Legacy Place in Dedham.

They are the size of a 50 inch LCD television and contain sound. Bob Frazier, Senior VP of Development for the project said the signs would provide shoppers with a community calendar and contain advertisements for businesses  at Derby Street Shoppes and other non Hingham businesses.

Derby Street Shoppes had plans to install signs in front of  six different shops: and

To install the signs, Bob Devin attorney of Derby Street Shoppes said the Hingham bylaws would need to be tweaked.

“We now live in a digital age, and Hingham bylaw hasn’t gotten there yet,” he said

Corey said she was afraid that opening the bylaws would lead to more and more electronic signs in Hingham which will create disadvantage to local businesses in Hingham Square.

 “Hingham square is where our hearts are,” she said.

She also believed the bright signs could be dangerous as they may be distracting to drivers and pedestrians.

Many residents agreed with Corey’s views. One prospect street resident criticized them and called them electronic billboards while  Bob Daly, a  Hull Street resident said they would ruin the charm of the Derby Street Shoppes.

Daly said he enjoys shopping on Derby Street especially during the holiday season and said the sign’s sound would be too distracting and ruin the shopper’s experience.

“We have to retain the charm of our town,” Daly told residents at Town Meeting

Hingham residents overwhelming voted ‘no,’ rejecting any plans to install electronic signs at the Derby Street Shoppes.