My Turn: Stop removing or damaging political signs

By Gary Davis

During the election campaign of 2013, a question was raised about whether town standards were too restrictive regarding political signs during election campaigns compared to other types of signs displayed at other times throughout the year.

The topic of political signs and issues current at that time (particularly regarding freedom of speech) focused on how, when and where citizens had the right to display them were discussed that year with the town administrator, other town staff, and with guidance from town counsel. At that time, town counsel provided recommendations that were consistent with state law governing regulations for political signs and consistent with Lincoln character.
Those town counsel recommendations were adopted at that time by the town in the form of a citizen agreement rather than a bylaw as follows:

• Political signs can be held by right without a permit on town-owned land as long as they don’t impact safety or constitute a hazard either to motorists or pedestrians.
• Unatttended political signs can be placed by right on town-owned land at the intersections defined in section 16.2(d) of the zoning bylaw as follows:
• • Sandy Pond Road and Lincoln Road
  • Ballfield Road and Lincoln Road
  • Lincoln Road and South Great Road
  • Bedford Road and Morningside Lane
  • Codman Road and Concord Road
• One political sign can be placed by right on private land.
• Political signs shall not exceed 8 square feet and are limited to display no more than 180 days prior to the related election.

Unfortunately, a number of practice habits have evolved that disrespect the original agreement terms. Some citizens or non-citizen advocates have refused to accept rules for signs located on the approved town-owned lands, use of signs over the size limit, and vandalism and theft of compliant signs on both private or town-owned land. It should be noted that the majority of such signs have been purchased by town citizens, so loss or vandalism is no light matter.
Given the increasingly negative political atmosphere in the last few years, it is conceivable there will be even more violations. Signs have already been stolen this year. Let’s do our best to comply with the letter and spirit of these recommendations both as measures of Lincoln environmental and character and abiding mutual respect.

Gary Davis is a member and former chair of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee.

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