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Council debates tougher penalties for commercial bill‑posting; committee to refine language
Summary
City attorney told the legislative committee the proposed amendment would keep a $50 penalty for noncommercial postings but raise the fine for commercial postings to $200; committee asked for clarifications and agreed to collect suggested changes before a public hearing.
West Haven’s legislative committee discussed a proposed change to the city’s rules on posting bills and advertising on city structures and utility poles, with an emphasis on discouraging commercial placards.
Attorney Paul Dorsey told the committee the update would retain the current $50 maximum fine for noncommercial postings such as lost‑pet notices but increase the fine to $200 for commercial postings—advertisements placed on telephone poles, city structures or other public property. The stated aim is to deter “buy‑your‑house” and other mass commercial advertising that members said litters public spaces.
Mayor Dorinda Borer said the proposed change mirrors a Connecticut statute that already bans affixing materials to telegraph, telephone or electric poles and sets a $50 maximum penalty; the ordinance aims to add “teeth” for repeat commercial offenders. Council members sought clarifications about exemptions and enforcement. Several asked whether common community uses—open‑house signs, nonprofit event signs, and missing‑person flyers—would be affected.
Dorsey advised the committee that language could be adjusted to add exceptions and that the city can make locally tailored choices so long as they do not conflict with state law. The committee asked council members to submit suggested edits by Friday, May 2, so corporation counsel can consolidate them into a single communication for revision before the next meeting. The committee decided to hold the proposal rather than advance it to a public hearing until that work is complete.
Council members emphasized they do not want to hamper lost‑pet or missing‑person notices and asked staff to return with clearer language on permitted temporary signs for nonprofits and city‑authorized events.
