We are well aware of the difficult economic times facing us nationally and certainly locally. We have witnessed the departure, and or failure, of too many businesses located here in Sturbridge.

There are many reasons that businesses either choose to leave or are simply forced to close their doors. Some are well beyond the control or influence of local politicians to address. Others, however, provide an opportunity for local politicians and town officials to offer, guidance, assistance, partnerships and/or mentoring as a means of collaboration toward mutually satisfying goals. Clearly, two of those goals - economic stability and community branding or image – are of significance to all town residents and visitors.

Over the last year during my discussions with members of the business community, it became clear that our sign by-laws were an issue that many identified as overly onerous for them. In fact, a recent report indicated that many businesses still identified the current sign by-law as an obstacle when trying to better market themselves during these difficult economic times.

When we view the landscape and consider the challenges ahead in improving our economic picture, it becomes clear that most of our solutions are long-term and will require time to reap tangible benefits. Even with recent discussions relative to modifying the current sign by-law, we are looking at the beginning of next year, perhaps, before anything substantive could be accomplished. As this signage issue continues as a significant concern for some local businesses it is worth some dialogue in the very near term in an effort to determine if we, as a town, can offer any short-term relief as we look toward a long-range solution.

With that in mind, I offer the following for consideration. How about a Sign Permit Holiday, which would allow local businesses the opportunity to place one temporary sign outside their place of business for a 90 day period beginning in September and ending in November with minimal restrictions? This would create an opportunity for local establishments to better market themselves during foliage season and the early holiday season.

Now, before we start striking this proposal with a sledge hammer, let’s consider some of the conditions that must be met as well as the benefits of trying something completely outside the box. 

The temporary Signs must meet with, and adhere to, the Sturbridge Sign By-law as stated in Chapter 22, Section 14 - Size and Type, as well as Chapter 22, Section 22 - Window Signs, and must be approved by the Director of Inspections, as charged in Chapter 22 - Section 30.

Additionally, a request must be submitted to the Director of Inspections for review, and once a permit is issued, the requesting organization or individual will sign an agreement that should any violations be noted relative to the above referenced sections, their permit will be revoked for the remainder of the Sign Permit Holiday.

During this Holiday, the Board of Selectmen will receive ongoing reports from the Director of Inspections regarding any enforcement issues encountered during each 30 day period of the Holiday. Should the Board determine that the number (if any) of violations has become too onerous, the selectmen would then have the authority to terminate the Sign Permit Holiday immediately, and without further discussion.

Conversely should the report indicate a level of success, the Holiday would then be extended an additional 30 days, with this Holiday ongoing for no more than a total of 90 days.

At the end of the 90-day Holiday, the Economic Development Committee, along with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, would be invited to discuss the Holiday with the Board of Selectmen. Following that discussion, the EDC, the Chamber, and representatives from local businesses, would be invited to work with the Planning Board to help draft a reasonable and appropriate sign bylaw that protects the integrity and character of the community while balancing the needs of businesses to remain viable.

The benefit to this approach is that we would demonstrate some short-term tangible action, that may provide relief to local businesses. It would also afford us an opportunity to try a radical and outside-the-box approach in terms of how we work together to address issues in town. Additionally, it provides local businesses the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work with the community through the responsible and considerate exercise of temporary signage placement.

We would also have an opportunity to determine if our sign by-laws are truly as burdensome to businesses as claimed or perceived. We may also see if any actual short-term relief is experienced by our local businesses, while helping to create an atmosphere encouraging more dialogue and potential partnerships between the town and businesses in the future.

Clearly, there are some potential negatives that could be identified. For example, there are those who might misuse or abuse the signage Holiday by exercising little if any discretion in placement, types, and sizes of signs. For those few who might be tempted to go to extremes during this Holiday, the rescission of their privilege to participate would be swift. Additionally, the entire Holiday can and will be terminated immediately by the selectmen should the abuses or violations be deemed too extensive in general.

Abuse of this Holiday would not be in the best interests of  any participating business, and as such, would hopefully encourage self-regulation. And considering that this Holiday would only last at a maximum for 90 days, and only at 30-day intervals to allow for review, it would never place the town in a situation where we were stuck with something that didn’t work. Additionally, keep in mind that the B.O.S. reserves the right to terminate the Holiday at any point.
 
In effect, the absolute worst that could happen is that we could find this short-term temporary approach proves less than successful and thereby realize that another approach is warranted. We clearly won’t know if we don’t try.

Now, this is merely a starting point for discussion, and it is my intention to bring this forward for discussion at an upcoming selectmen’s meeting. I welcome and invite all constructive input from any Sturbridge resident or business wishes to provide.

This could in fact be the worst approach possible, and there are probably an unlimited number of things I have not considered. It isn’t even completely clear if this approach could be conducted without a town vote – Town Counsel could weigh in here - but until we have the discussion, we will never know.

Scott Garieri

Comments can be submitted below, or addressed to me at the following email address: sgarieri@aol.com