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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor AGAWAM According to members of the City Council, recent complaints and concerns from constituents and businesses regarding the 2006 Sign Ordinance has prompted the council and its Ordinance Committee to revisit the legislation during future agendas. City Councilor Donald Rheault, also chair of the Ordinance Committee, told Reminder Publications he plans to put the ordinance back on the council's agenda for revision in March. Rheault recalled that numerous complaints in 2006 from constituents over the abundant number of signs along Suffield Street, Main Street and the tree belt convinced the council to draft and enact the ordinance. However, Rheault said he believes the ordinance is too stringent and has had a negative effect on local businesses. A-frame signs and others advertising businesses' daily specials have been restricted or prohibited, he explained. Laura Theroux, co-owner of Main Street Grill, said her business advertised specials on an A-frame sign displayed on the front of the property. She explained, however, that she was told by town officials the sign had to be moved 35 to 50 feet from the road or be subject to fines according to the ordinance, fines per sign cannot exceed $50. Theroux explained that in order to comply with the ordinance the sign has to be placed near the parking lot. "It [the ordinance] definitely hurts our business," she said. "I'd love to be able to put my sign back out where people can see it." Building Commissioner Dominic Urbinati said several business owners have remained "disgruntled," but that overall they have been cooperative. He explained that he encounters only one or two sign violations per week. "We didn't intend to hurt any businesses," Rheault said, adding that the interpretation of the ordinance's language is what has hurt businesses. City Councilor George Bitzas, also vice president of the Beautification Committee, explained that the main concern in 2006 was over liquor store and cigarette signs advertising alcohol and tobacco products. "We have to help the businesses but must maintain the integrity of the town's green space," he said. Bitzas said the Beautification Committee was concerned about the numerous signs cluttering the green space such as those for tag sales and other advertisements that were not taken down after the events. "We over extended ourselves," Bitzas said of the ordinance's language, adding that signs for local businesses should be allowed during business hours. He said the ordinance must be rewritten to regulate the size, color, shape and lettering of the signs so that they do not cause public safety concerns. "We're going to look into it [the ordinance] and our concern is to keep in mind that the town needs business to survive and we don't want to disenfranchise any small business owners in Agawam," City Councilor Paul Cavallo said. He added that he is in favor of the ordinance to create a set of guidelines for signage throughout town; however, he is concerned that some signs can "interfere with the health and safety of the people in the community." Janet Casiello of Lealand Avenue said she was previously in favor of the ordinance which eliminated cluttered signage in front of stores she frequents but she has since come to realize its negative effect on those businesses. In a letter to Mayor Susan Dawson, Casiello outlined her concerns and offered suggestions of how the City Council might alter the ordinance. Casiello suggested town approved generic signs, specified locations for sign advertising and specific requirements for tag sales signs such as tag sale permits, restricting the number of posted signs, locations and time duration. City Councilor Cecilia Calabrese, also a member of the Ordinance Committee, said the committee has already had a meeting regarding the Sign Ordinance and that they are in the process of drafting an amended piece of legislation. |