Monday, November 9, 2015

Signage By-Law Discussion at FDP General Meeting

Franklin Building Commissioner Gus Brown and Design Review Commission Chairman Mark Fitzgerald attended last Thursday's FDP general meeting, and Fitzgerald gave a presentation about By-Law 185-20, also known as the signage by-law. 

In the presentation, Fitzgerald outlined who the volunteer review commission members are, what the DRC's goals are, signs that work and those that don't, creativity, and the regulations themselves. He also took questions from meeting attendees. 

Fitzgerald made a point of saying the DRC is "pro business" and wants to work with business owners on the look and functionality of signage. The commission meets every other Tuesday at 7 p.m. in room 205 of the Municipal Building. More information about the DRC and the by-law is found at  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/design.

The Milford Daily News printed a story about that portion of the meeting:

Franklin:  Panel talks about attractive signs
By Mike Gleason/Daily News Staff
Posted Nov. 7, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Updated Nov 7, 2015 at 11:38 AM 

FRANKLIN - The Franklin Downtown Partnership had its designs on signs during its Thursday morning meeting with Design Review Commission members.

During a slideshow talk, Commission Chairman Mark Fitzgerald said he thinks his group's mission is to work with businesses to keep the town's look pleasant.

"We don't want to be the sign police," he said. "We are business-friendly - we want to see business in town."

Fitzgerald said the commission's role is to make recommendations and provide a forum to talk about aesthetics outside of the regulation-oriented Planning Board setting.

"You can come before us and talk about colors and palettes," he said. "What do we like to see? Signs that are compliant with the bylaw and are clear and concise."