Newburgh council approves locations for historical-sign project but removes three flagpole signs

The Town of Newburgh council voted Nov. 12 to approve locations for a six-sign historical marker project presented by Jim Rennie, but the council amended the plan to remove three proposed flagpole-mounted signs and place them in nearby locations or in business windows.

Jim Rennie, the project's presenter, said the group was "ready to start" installing signs and asked for final guidance on siting. Councilmembers and residents raised concerns about mounting signs on flagpoles, saying the poles should remain dedicated to flags and that attaching signage could be seen as disrespectful. Rennie noted the signs are movable and said the council retains authority to reject individual placements.

Council discussion produced a motion to adopt the project with two specific placement adjustments — moving the Genex Street Social sign to a business window and placing the Exchange Hotel sign in Barefoot Cottage's window — and an amendment to delete three signs from flagpoles and find alternate nearby sites. The amendment was seconded and the council approved the amended motion by voice vote.

Council members stressed flexibility: the signs are removable and can be relocated if the town receives negative feedback. Several residents and council members who had worked on the plaza described care taken during plaza construction and said they appreciated Rennie's work on the project.

The decision permits the project to move forward with the council-assigned edits; staff and the sign team were directed to coordinate final placements and return to council if further changes are requested.