Residents press for more Veterans Memorial signage; council discusses panel cost and timing

A public commenter pressed the council to make the town’s Veterans Memorial more visible to visitors, including adding direction signage downtown and a possible panel or insert to an existing town wayfinding sign.

Patrick O’Connor, identified as a local volunteer on the memorial effort, said the memorial (dedicated in 2019) has many available name plates and that visitors often do not know where the memorial is located. “All that we've been doing here recently, we've added about an additional 60 names,” he said, and asked the town to improve signage and visibility.

Council and staff discussed current wayfinding practices and potential options. Staff said two temporary directional signs had been placed in front of town hall and that adding a permanent panel to the existing wayfinding sign would require a new panel; staff estimated a replacement panel at about $1,200. Staff also noted that Indian Trail Road is scheduled for a redesign; that future road work would prompt an updated pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding plan and could change sign locations.

Staff suggested tabling a permanent panel until the road project and an overall signage schematic are complete so the town can ensure consistency and avoid replacing signs twice. Council discussed lower‑cost interim options (a single directional sign or a modest wayfinding panel) and asked staff to return with cost estimates and timing. Councilmember(s) also asked staff to check online mapping (Google Maps) and confirmed county recycling drop‑off locations for residents who want to recycle glass.

Ending — Staff estimated a sign panel at about $1,200 but recommended waiting for the planned roadwork and a coordinated signage plan; council asked staff to return with cost options and to check online mapping and signage alternatives in the short term.