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Iino: Signs of the Season

The Source has asked me to contribute a biweekly column to the paper, and I am happy to have another way to keep in touch. This week, I’d like to talk about the timely issue of election signs.

We have few ways to communicate publicly in Killingworth, and lawn signs are one of them. The town does regulate signage, however, to preserve and enhance Killingworth’s “natural, scenic, historic, cultural and aesthetic qualities.” Our Planning & Zoning Commission has established regulations regarding signage in different zones.

The town government itself is subject to these zoning regulations, and our town facilities are generally in residential zones. As property owner, the town may decide whether or not to allow signs on town property.

We have long allowed signs to be placed on public property next to Recycle Way and, more recently, in front of Sheldon Field. These signs have mostly been for candidates for local and state office. It should be clear that these signs do not indicate endorsement by the town of any particular candidate.

The town could consider prohibiting all temporary signs in these locations, but under the First Amendment, we cannot restrict signs according to content, and so that would mean that local organizations could no longer put up announcements of forthcoming events.

Please note that the property on the north side of Recycle Way is leased to the Killingworth Historical Society, which has requested that no signs be placed there.

As for signs on our own lawns—well, many of us don’t actually have lawns, and so the signs go in front of our property near the road. Along state roads, signs should be kept far back, since the Department of Transportation may remove signs from its right of way. If you are placing a sign near any road, make sure the sign does not interfere with traffic sightlines.

Other general rules: No signs may be placed on trees or utility poles. Signs may not exceed six square feet in area. Signs should be removed within two days after the publicized event or election.

In this election season, signs for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have both been stolen already. As I said at the beginning, lawn signs are one of the few media for public expression in Killingworth. Stealing signs puts a damper on public discourse, and that hurts our whole community.