[MassHistPres] 40C districts and political sign installations on contributing buidlings

[John Worden]

Diane,

My recollection is that we were advised by Town Counsel some years ago that we could not prohibit political signs.  In any event, temporary signs - more typically contractors' - are considered not worth worrying about, but we do require that they be on the property owners' land, not on the tree strip which is part of the public road.

John Worden
Arlington HDC

John L. Worden III, Esq.
Simonds, Winslow, Willis & Abbott, P.A.
50 Congress Street, Suite 925
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(617) 227-8662
(617 227-1961 -  fax
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-----Original Message-----
From: MassHistPres [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Diane Gilbert
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2018 6:32 PM
To: MHC list
Subject: [MassHistPres] 40C districts and political sign installations on contributing buidlings

The chair of our one and only 40C district has informed at least two homeowners in the district that their temporary political signs must be removed.

Regardless of my opinion or anyone else's about the aesthetics of historic districts, is there not a Constitutional First Amendment right to free speech that supersedes the chair’s decision to dictate the use of political signs on historic properties?

I can’t imagine that no one hasn’t encountered this issue along the way. Perhaps this is a discussion topic from the past. I don’t recall. 

I am interested in getting thoughts, reactions, experiences with this matter. 

Thanks!

Diane Gilbert
Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust
(508) 965-7265
www.dhpt.org

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