GLOCESTER – The Glocester Town Council is hoping the town does not get overrun with political signs as elections near. To that end the Council recently approved a list of guidelines for candidates to review.
“It’s not a policy,” explained Councilor Walter Steere. “It’s a set of guidelines to help people new to the process, help them understand the ins and outs as far as signs go. We’re not mandating anything.”
Town Solicitor David Igliozzi pointed out ordinances mandating signage which have been approved in other towns have failed when challenged in court.
“As long as you’re not making it an ordinance,” said Igliozzi. “Those ordinances have failed. You can request the public to cooperate.”
The town can create guidelines with suggestions for signage but ultimately can’t control what people decide to do, unless the signs pose a danger to traffic or other safety issues.
The approved guidelines ask that signs not be put up more than 30 days prior to an election and removed within ten days after the contest. Signs cannot be posted on town or state property including buildings, parks and utility poles.
The council agreed to send the signage guidelines to all political candidates and to post it on the town website, hoping to avoid “sign pollution” and obstruction of line of sight issues.
The full list of guidelines, along with a list of prohibited town and state roadways, can be found here.
