'Dangerous' L.E.D. Signs Banned in Marlborough for 10 Months

The Marlborough City Council voted Monday night to put a 10 month moratorium on the installation of Light Emitting Diode signs in the city.

“When I get up to an intersection and I am blinded by that white light I am concerned for my safety," said City Councilor Mark Oram. "We are talking about public safety and if we can do anything we should.”

The 10 month ban on installation of new signs was put forward by City Council President Patricia Pope and Councilor Joseph Delano. Delano said that these signs can be a 'danger' with the amount of light they produce. The moratorium would cease any additional signs from being able to be installed while the council discusses regulations on the bright signs that would be incorporated into the sign ordinance.

“What we have right now is an unfair ordinance," said Pope. “This is something we need to look at as a whole ... it is simply not fair to continue to put it in the special permits."
Many businesses have had bans on the signs worked into their special permit, she said, while other businesses are free to install the signs. During the moratorium, the council will put together a committee made up of council members, business representatives and a sign expert to come up with proper regulation of the signs.

Councilors cited safety issues with the bright signs during the discussion of the moratorium.

Other councilors argued that there was not enough discussion before putting a ban forward. 

“The chamber has mixed feelings on this too," said Councilor Donald Landers who said this should be a discussion with the business community.