Dear Editor:

Regarding the proposed changes to the town of Boothbay sign ordinances, Mr. Tomacelli wanted to understand about why the existing signs ordinances were so restrictive. I have not reviewed the existing sign ordinance, but suspect they are in large part taken from the town of Boothbay Comprehensive Plan from the late 80s and of which I was chairman.

The sign ordinance, along with that entire comprehensive plan, was built after an extensive survey we did of residents of Boothbay. When that committee began to work, we were provided with plans from other towns and organizations, such as the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

From the survey, from the existing sign ordinance at the time (which did prohibit internal illuminated signs) and a sample sign ordinance, we developed the sign ordinance.

From that survey, there was concern about how Route 27 would be developed in the future. There was a strong desire to maintain the rural character of the community, protect the water resources, both ground water and community, and allow for reasonable growth without harm to the residents and community. There was concern about the development of the standard American strip mall.

The sign ordinance was developed knowing that signage would appear within all the districts because of grandfathering and the mixed use that occurs throughout the community. Signage in size, placement and illumination appropriate for a business’s needs had to be weighed against the adverse effects of that signage on residences. We took large portions of the sign ordinance verbatim from the Lincoln’s sample ordinance.

Internally illuminated signs were not allowed because of the mixed nature of the community. Does a residence want a huge glowing signs pulsing in their window all night?

Land use management is planning for the future of your town. When the group of us wrote that plan so many years ago, we knew it was imperfect, that it would have to be changed. It was an attempt to allow reasonable growth with constraints of conservative land use management.

I cannot vote, but if I could, I would vote no on Question 4.

Thomas P. Nadeau,O.D.
Former Chairman
Town of Boothbay Comprehensive Planning Committee