[MassHistPres] Political signs in LHD

[Aaron Marcavitch]

The simple answer is:

Time, place, manner

We can restrict how long a sign can be up.  We can restrict where they go. We can restrict the
manner in which they are formed  (Example: A temporary sign, present for 30 days must be attached
to a structure and must be rectangular.  They must be constructed of wood or paper and be no
larger than Z x Y.)

Therefore, you can create a regulation that controls temporary signs, but not its content.  The
same for all signs.  You can tell a person that they must make them from wood, with a simple
edgebanding, with colors that are muted and using a font that is serifed (like Nantucket) - but
you can't tell them that the name "Joe's Barber Shop and Surgery" is not appropriate.

So you cannot say "Joe Smith would stink as a Selectman" isn't appropriate (nor can you say that
Joe Smith should be elected) - but you can control where they go and how long they can be there -
IF you are consistant.  All temporary signs should be the same.  Making a distinction based on
content isn't allowed.  We make an advisory comment about them - but its not binding and not a
review basis.

By the way, we ask all political candidates - as those who will be posting temporary signs (just
like those who may put up signs for a week long event like our film festival) - to get basic
blanket approval for their sign types.  

Aaron
Nantucket, MA
--- Diane Gilbert <d.m.gilbert at comcast.net> wrote:

> I believe that First Amendment rights preclude LHD Commissions from banning
> political signs in their historic districts. During the campaign season, as
> everyone knows, signs are ubiquitous around communities, like it or not.
> Does anyone have any experience with this issue?  Regards, Diane Gilbert,
> Town of Dartmouth
> 
> ******************************
> For administrative questions regarding this list, please contact Christopher.Skelly at state.ma.us
> directly.  PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY" TO THE WHOLE LIST.  
> MassHistPres mailing list
> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
> http://mailman.cs.umb.edu/mailman/listinfo/masshistpres
> ********************************
> 


--------
http://www.marcavitch.com


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't pick lemons.
See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html