The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to support the Windham High School Booster Club's efforts to donate an electronic sign to the School Board for the high school's use.
After members of the Booster Club presented their proposal to install an electronic reader sign on a town right-of-way off Londonbridge Road, selectmen and town officials voiced concerns with the desired location of the sign, as well as with the structure itself.
Community Development Director Laura Scott said installing the sign at the proposed location, which is near a commercially zoned parcel that will likely be developed in the future, could be problematic if a potential developer wants to install a sign advertising their business.
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"You could potentially have two, free-standing signs in the same vicinity," she said.
Selectman Al Letizio expressed concern that if the sign cycled through several announcements as the Booster Club proposed, it would violate the town's sign ordinance.
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Chairman Phil Lochiatto said he hopes the sign will meet all height and size requirements, and will be a static display.
But Scott noted the sign would not be subject to the town's sign ordinance if it were built on town or school property.
Therefore, the board recommended the Booster Club request the School Board accept their donation of the sign, then have the School Board proceed with applying for approval to install the sign on the town right-of-way.
The Board of Selectmen could then carve out an easement for the sign, or convey the land to the School Board for $1, which the voters would need to approve at the annual town meeting.
The sign could then be constructed as the Booster Club proposes and could display as many messages each day as the school desires.
Booster Club Board Member Robin Cino said the sign, which the club estimates will cost approximately $45,000, is greatly needed to assist visiting athletic teams with finding the school, as well as to inform members of the community about sports and other school events.
Cino additionally noted the Police Department and Fire Department would be able to access the sign, with emergency messages to take priority over school announcements.
The sign would not be used for advertising of any nature.
"Control is one reason the booster club didn't seek any corporate donations," Cino said. "We did want to make sure it's used for 100 percent high school interests."
The Booster Club would pay for all costs associated with installing the sign, and Booster Club Member Donald Bielinski will complete the mason work. Excavation work is also being donated by DiPietro Homes.
Cino said the only cost to the School Board would be about $15 to $30 in electricity costs to run the sign, and the monthly service bill for updating the sign wirelessly.
Only the high school's athletic director, principal, and the Booster Club president would be permitted to post messages to the sign. All parties responsible for posting notices on the sign would undergo training, according to Cino.
With the Board of Selectmen's support, Cino and Bielinski plan to request the School Board accept the Booster Club's donation at their July 2nd meeting.
The club's goal is for the sign to be operational in time for the next school year.
