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Centerville council approves ordinance allowing limited electronic message signs for schools
Summary
On Sept. 18, 2025, the Centerville Town Council adopted Ordinance O62025 to permit electronic messaging centers for public high schools in residential zones, establish an annual permit and compliance process, and limit use to narrowly defined locations.
The Centerville Town Council adopted Ordinance O62025 on Sept. 18, 2025, to allow electronic message centers as a permitted use for public high schools in residential zones, subject to additional standards and an annual permit requirement.
Town Manager Carolyn Brinkley provided the council with background on the measure, saying the change is narrowly focused to allow signs similar to existing electronic monuments in town but limited to the high school site because it is not located directly adjacent to houses. Town Clerk Gay Adams certified the published notice for the hearing; the legal advertisement ran in the Bay Times Record Observer on Aug. 29, 2025.
Representatives from Queen Anne’s County High School — identified in the record as Daryl Bricklough (Queen Anne’s County Public Schools), Kristen Herlock (academic dean), career coach Betsy Ricketts and Principal Lou Shepherd — spoke in favor of the ordinance. School representatives told the council the current monument sign at the school has deteriorated and that an electronic sign, operated by school staff rather than students, would help communicate athletics, academic events and deadlines to families and the community.
Council discussion emphasized two recurring points: (1) the ordinance’s narrow scope, limiting permitted electronic messaging centers to the high school and similar non-residential-adjacent sites, and (2) the new annual-permit process intended to improve compliance and give the town a mechanism to revoke sign privileges for noncompliance. Council members also noted traffic-safety and aesthetic considerations as part of the standards the ordinance establishes.
A motion to approve Ordinance O62025 was made during the meeting and passed by roll call vote. The roll call recorded the five council members present as voting in favor: Ashley H. Kiser (president), Jeffrey D. Kiel (vice president), Daniel B. Worth, Jim A. Beauchamp and Sandra Lee Hufford. The ordinance text reserves the council’s right to set renewal fees by resolution if the town determines a fee is needed to support administration and enforcement.
The ordinance establishes an annual permit for electronic messaging centers that applies to all such signs in town; council members said staff will initially seek voluntary compliance and send notice to existing sign owners before pursuing enforcement actions.
