Council moves bench-and-signage contract with local firm to debate amid political-signage, QR-code and accessibility concerns

The Committee of the Whole on April 8 moved an ordinance approving an agreement between the City of Springfield and a sign company (ACE) into debate after extended questioning from aldermen about political advertising, QR codes, accessibility and where benches are sited.

Clerk read ordinance 2025153 authorizing the agreement; members then asked company representative Keith Haines to answer questions. Haines described the program nd said ACE operates roughly 60 bench sites and that the company has been the local contractor for decades. "We have about a 60 benches out right now," he said, and added that the new aluminum benches cost about $1,500 each to fabricate and install.

Aldermen pressed whether ACE's contract prohibits political advertising on bench panels. Corporation Counsel Mordock said, "Right now, there's nothing in the contract that would prohibit political advertising on these benches," and offered to research whether the city may include a content-based restriction in a private advertising contract. He said any content restriction could raise First Amendment concerns and suggested the council could instead apply content-neutral rules for temporary signs in the right-of-way.

Alderman Williams and others said the current arrangement lets one advertiser dominate bench placements and raised fairness concerns during election seasons. Williams asked for a written option that would either bar political advertising from bench panels or permit political signage with clear, neutral placement rules. Alderman Gregory asked counsel to prepare draft amendments: one to exclude political language from bench panels and another (if exclusion proved unlawful) to amend city rules to allow political signs in right-of-way in a way that is applied evenly.

Council members also discussed operational issues raised by residents: whether benches are prioritized at actual bus stops, how ACE coordinates with Springfield Mass Transit District on changes to routes and shelters, and how visual aids and QR codes will be vetted for broadcast. Haines said ACE already checks with SMTD maps and that shelters are installed by SMTD; if a shelter replaces a bench ACE will relocate the bench at company expense when routes change. He said the company will furnish 50 reverse-side panels for public service messages at the city's request.

On the procedural vote, the council ccepted a motion to debate the ordinance rather than place it on the consent agenda. The motion to move the item to debate passed.

Council asked Corporation Counsel to research (1) whether the city can restrict political advertising on private contracts without violating the First Amendment and (2) whether the contract language or the city's sign rules should be changed to ensure equitable access during election periods. Staff and ACE were also asked to provide written details on contract duration, bench counts and the process for short-term bench availability so candidates and community groups can plan advertising or outreach ahead of campaigns.

No ordinance adoption occurred at this meeting; the item will return for debate and possible action in a future meeting.