Do We Want a Town Notice Sign?

Sandi Pierson sent us this. Feel free to comment on the blog post on Orangenh.us.

The Orange Historical Commission has worked diligently to have our picturesque Town House placed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. Their efforts came to fruition on July 28, 2014. Thus, when a resident suggested a sign for the front yard be erected to notify residents of municipal meetings and events, a couple of members from the Historical Commission took the project in hand. They felt it was important that the essence of such a sign harmonize with the historical spirit of the building. The resident who came forth with the idea for a sign also generously pledged a $500 donation for it. 

Members of the Historical Commission drove around the central NH area to see what other towns had for signs. Attached is a photo of the sign they propose if one is to be erected; the cost is slated at $500. The letter set for the sign is an additional $250 and members of the Historical Commission anticipate that these will be provided by donation also, i.e., there will be no cost to the town for the sign or the transferable lettering set. The proposed announcement sign would be constructed by Alan Charbano. He did the new Orange “welcoming sign” that is at the Cardigan Mountain Road town line. The Town House sign will be made of the same, durable material. A sketch of the proposed sign is attached to this email.

When members of the Orange Historical Commission brought their results to the Select Board meeting, the Board felt that the acquisition and erection of a sign should be the decision of the townspeople—after all, they cited, it is their Town House. Questions and discussions arose at the meeting about where the sign should be placed and if indeed a sign was a good idea in the first place. Someone suggested it should be considered at town meeting.  In any event, the strong consensus from both the Select Board and people attending the meeting was that a structure that is permanently placed at our Town House, even one as small as a sign, first needs to be supported by the residents of Orange.

The Board welcomes and encourages your comments.

Comments

[OrangeNH]

Thanks, Sandi, for the information on the proposed town announcement sign. A lot of thought went into the proposal, clearly. But I agree that the decision should be made at Town Meeting.

I personally think the sign will detract from our historic building. Most residents don't drive by the Town House every day, so the sign's usefulness will be limited. It seems like an unnecessary expense. And, despite the careful design, there's no way to make detachable letters look attractive. -Jay Heinrichs