Westfield officials consider regulations governing placement of political signs

The City Council is expected to consider sign regulations at its August meeting.

File photo | The RepublicanA detail from an extra-large lawn sign that was deemed illegal in Springfield several elections ago.

WESTFIELD – The Planning Board has agreed to review and consider regulations governing the posting of political campaign signs and submit a recommendation to the City Council for adoption in August.

The review was requested by City Councilor David A. Flaherty who called existing regulations “outdated and not enforced.”

The councilor, preparing to launch his re-election campaign for a second two-year term, presented planners with a proposed new ordinance that will govern the placement and use of “temporary free-standing ground signs” for political campaigns, sales, promotions, educational or religious organizations.

“This is not a perfect list, but it is a base line, a good starting point,” said Flaherty.

“There needs to be clarification and more specific standards for the display of temporary ground signs,” Flaherty said.

The board agreed to review the proposed ordinance Aug. 2 and make recommendations to the full City Council by its Aug. 18 meeting.

The proposed new ordinance addresses the size, number of and height of signs as well as where they can be placed during campaigns:

• Candidates or causes will be limited to the placement of one sign per residential lot throughout the city, and signs will not be permitted on public property including road sides;

• Signs will not be displayed on buildings except headquarters of candidates or organizations sponsoring the sign;

• Signs cannot contain moving parts, shall not be illuminated and shall not obstruct view by motorists and of traffic control signals.

Flaherty proposes a time line that would prevent placement of signs more than three months before an election or event and require removal within three days following an election or event.

Westfield’s municipal election season is under way with a preliminary election, if necessary, scheduled for Sept. 7 and the general election set for Nov. 8.