Waldoboro committee sends two gateway sign options to select board

The Waldoboro Economic Development Committee voted to recommend two working‑boat gateway sign designs — option A and option B — to the select board and to add a small standalone “village” directional sign at Jefferson.

The committee discussed three concepts presented at the meeting — a working boat, a sailboat and a five‑masted schooner — and members debated scale and visual clutter. Some members said the schooner evoked local maritime history but appeared visually large on the mockups; others favored the working boat as a current, locally recognizable image. “The working boat is what’s literally there,” one member said; Jen, participating remotely, asked attendees to “imagine the schooners lining the river in the old days,” a comment offered in favor of the historic option.

Members agreed to forward two working‑boat variations so the select board can choose among final options. The committee did not finalize specific sign locations; committee members said public works and the select board would determine exact placement and any necessary site preparation. The committee also discussed consolidating existing signage to reduce clutter and raised the idea of a consistent visual identity for downtown parking and wayfinding.

The motion to send the two designs to the select board was seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee members said they expect the select board to review the options and return a decision on final placement and sign manufacture.

The matter will move next to the select board for final approval and siting decisions.