Entrance signs will be coming down in several locations around the municipality as councillors here decided no signs are better than dilapidated ones.
At the Dec. 11 meeting, public works director Larry Lynch reported many of the seven entrance signs erected at the time of amalgamation have deteriorated to the point over the last dozen years that some signs are illegible.
“Many of the signs have been damaged beyond readability and others have simply succumbed to the ravages of the elements,” Lynch said.
He noted that staff has removed two of the seven signs “leaving only the framework to welcome people to the community.
“While there has been some discussion of a county-wide branding of signs, the fact remains this has not moved forward with any urgency and our existing signs continue to be an embarrassment,” Lynch continued.
Mayor Bruce Whale stated, “I think it’s still on the agenda for the county, but I don’t know where it’s sitting right now.”
Lynch provided council with quote of just over $6,200 to replace all seven signs, however council decided to check the status of the county sign program before proceeding.
In the meantime, Lynch wanted to know what council wanted done with the existing signs.
“Take them all down,” said Councillor Jim Curry. “I don’t think were doing our municipality any credit to have these dilapidated signs up.”
Councillor Mike Downey wasn’t sure that was the best approach. “Then you’re left with just the sticks standing there,” he said.
Lynch pointed that there is one sign, located near Teviotdale, which is in reasonably good shape.
Ultimately, council agreed to authorize the public works department to immediately remove any signs deemed too worn to be serviceable. Meanwhile, Lynch was directed to check on the status of plans for county-wide signage.
LED message signs
While some of the welcome signs will be coming down, council agreed with a plan to add an LED message board to a sign to be erected for the Drayton Industrial Park at the north end of the village, near the PMD arena.
Lynch said a similar sign erected across town by Peel Maryborough Insurance has proved effective in providing information about watering bans, fire bans and community events.
“To say this gift to the community has been a resounding success would be an understatement,” said Lynch.
“Ironically, while the Peel-Maryborough sign has been so well received, the message from residents and visitors has been, ‘Why can’t we have something like this on the other side of town?’”
Lynch says there has been “strong local interest” in sharing the cost of the sign, approximately $18,000. He said he had commitments of between $12,000 and $15,000, including a $9,000 contribution from NextEra Energy.
“The logistics of pursuing a message board sign will never be better than right now,” Lynch commented, noting that more than half the cost of the sign would be covered by donations.
Council approved a recommendation to partner take the municipal share, $6,000, out of unused 2012 capital funds.
