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Historic preservation panel approves Main Street decal after split vote
Summary
The Boonton Historic Preservation Commission approved a storefront decal with the phrase 'Hate is not welcome' at 906 Main Street after debate over language and procedure; commissioners noted no ordinance bans the wording and advised staff to warn unpermitted signage in the future.
The Boonton Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a storefront window decal that includes the words 'Hate is not welcome' on 906 Main Street following a divided discussion and a roll-call decision. The chair summarized the vote as two no votes, one abstention and five yes votes, and the motion carried.
Commission member Adrien Yoga said she personally disliked the word 'hate' and would prefer language framed positively: "I just don't like the word hate myself. I would have preferred to see something a little more upbeat," she said. Opposing that view, commissioner Elliot Ruga characterized the message as an inclusiveness slogan and said the commission had no ordinance that would bar that wording: "Hate is not welcome is a slogan for a movement of inclusiveness," Ruga said.
Members repeatedly noted that the decal appeared to have been installed before the application process was completed. Commissioners discussed enforcement options, with several urging that the town’s code-enforcement officer be informed so the applicant could receive a warning rather than an automatic fine. "If he's not aware, he should be issuing a warning," said the chair, suggesting staff follow up with code enforcement.
Zeke, a long-standing commissioner, cautioned against denying an application solely on the basis of content: "We cannot ... be careful about commenting or not approving an application because of the content," he said, urging staff to handle content concerns through notification and consistent application of rules.
The vote to approve carried despite those concerns. Commissioners noted the practical risk to an applicant who paid for a sign without prior approval, and said they expected staff to tighten the application and notification process to reduce similar occurrences.
The commission did not adopt new language rules; members agreed the town’s 30% window-area rule and other existing standards remain the governing criteria for signage size and placement. Staff (Pat Laby) was asked to be notified so code enforcement could consider a warning for the installed but unvetted decal.
