'Sandwich Board' Signs OK Outside Borough Hall for Now

Hellertown Borough Council members recently expressed divergent opinions over the "sandwich board" signs at Main and Water streets outside Borough Hall that have long been used by local churches, community groups and civic organizations to announce upcoming events.

Before streetscape improvements were made at the intersection earlier this year, the signs were highly visible to passing motorists.

But the construction of a semicircular stone wall with the words "Borough of Hellertown" affixed to it means the signs can no longer be placed at the corner of the intersection closest to the Borough Hall building.

At council's Monday night meeting, Borough Manager Cathy Kichline asked for direction regarding the continued use of the signs, which many nonprofit groups have relied upon as a free form of publicity.

She received a mixed response.

"I always liked the signs," said Councilwoman Gail Nolf, who called them "old school." 

Having them at the intersetion "was a very communicative process," she added. "Coming and going, you saw them."

Councilman Mike McKenna, however, said he didn't think the signs have a place outside Borough Hall following the beautification effort.

Public Works Director Tom Henshaw said he found the signs "tacky," and noted that there were sometimes issues related to their timely display or removal.

"They got to be a headache...because they weren't going up and they weren't coming down when they were supposed to be," he said.

Councilman Tom Rieger said he thinks the policy that allows for the signs to be placed outside Borough Hall should be re-examined in light of the streetscape changes.

It's possible the borough could purchase a more attractive type of sign or begin charging groups a fee for sign placement, he said.

Council unanimously agreed to continue to allow the sandwich board signs to be displayed on the grass along Water Street east of the intersection until the policy is reviewed and potentially changed.