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Town to eliminate roadway signs
By John J. Hopkins Times
Every day, Cheektowaga drivers face a plethora of signs. Stop. No U-Turn. Do Not Enter. Yield. Lose 10 pounds in two weeks. Yard sale. Vote for (x,y or z).
A recent surge in the number of the last three examples- especially political signs- has the town board ready to support a New York State law prohibiting private signs on public rights-of way.
The roadway signs advertising everything from politicians to pyramid schemes dot the landscape throughout the year, but their numbers appear to peak during annual elections.
Supervising Code Enforcement Officer Tom Adamczak said removing the signs would be consistent with the town's neighborhood wellness program. He noted that the town is enforcing housing and zoning codes, so the state law should also be enforced.
Lack of self-policing appears to be a major reason for the crackdown. Adamczak explained that many signs remain standing for several months after the event they are promoting has passed.
"I'd like to ask the political parties over the next few months to eliminate them from the rights-ofway," Adamczak said at Tuesday's work session of the town board.
Supervisor James J. Jankowiak suggested Adamczak mail a letter to the political organizations asking them to remove their signs after Tuesday's elections.
Jankowiak stated that this year's crop of signs is "the worst in a long time," and is a signal that the town must enforce both the local code and state law.
Board members and Adamczak agreed that all political parties are to blame for the recent escalation of campaign signs.
Jankowiak noted that large wooden signs are not used to the extent they once were because inexpensive plastic campaign signs can be manufactured and installed quickly.
"If you look through the town right now, with all of the signs from all of the political candidates, it looks terrible," said Jankowiak.
Jankowiak noted that the board is constantly "pushing" Adamczak and his department on housing and community cleanup issues. A glut of signs contributes to the cleanup problem.
However, political parties aren't the only culprits, or groups that will be affected. Eradicating the signs could potentially affect several organizations and private citizens.
Little Leagues and local church lawn fete organizers would no longer be free to erect signs announcing upcoming events at major intersections unless they stand on private property.
Residents announcing a garage or block sale are also affected by the action.
"Put the sign on someone's front lawn," Jankowiak suggested. "You can still put it somewhere where people can see it; just don't put it on the rights-of-way."
Jankowiak said the concept of self-policing extends to garage sales and similar events. For example, signs posted on a utility pole for a garage sale in July shouldn't still be hanging from the pole in November.
Adamczak said the town's zoning law prohibits signs on public rightsof way and utility poles. Enforcement of the code is expected to be "content neutral," in other words, nondiscriminatory.
"If it's in the right-of-way, it's supposed to be removed," Adamczak noted.
Jankowiak credits Adamczak for taking the initiative and vows his full support.
"We're trying to make Cheektowaga a clean and neat-looking place to live," Jankowiak said. "The only way to do that is to enforce the ordinance that is there."
Jankowiak also noted that other municipalities have banned political signs.
"They have strict ordinances," Jankowiak said, "I think we ought to enforce ours."
Town Clerk Mary Holtz noted that the town was successfully sued because of a political sign flap several years ago.
However, Jankowiak said that a political sign on a person's front lawn remains legal.
"That's freedom of speech and freedom of expression," Jankowiak explained. "But, rights-of-ways- street corners, the Thruway entrances- should be left for public use. There's no need for 15 signs on every corner."
Jankowiak said that the signs present problems beyond "eyesores," such as maintenance. He said the signs prevent highway crews from cutting the grass along rightsof ways.
A highway worker using a riding lawn mower isn't going to stop to remove a sign, for example.
"They don't have room to remove the signs and place them on their tractors," Jankowiak observed. "They also don't want to get in trouble; they don't know who supports whom."
Jankowiak said that the town may eventually have to find a level with signs that is acceptable for residents and town government.
In the meantime, a person next spring who nails a sign to a utility pole advertising his yard sale can expect someone from the town to remove the advertisement.
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