Bantam Borough asks DRAC to weigh in after debate over "Maintain Safe Speed" tag on welcome signs

The Borough of Bantam sought continued approval of three after-the-fact "Welcome to Bantam" gateway signs at Route 209 and Route 202, telling the Design Review Advisory Committee on June 4 that the lower panel on the Rite Way signs can be changed to the Arts District logo but that the borough wants to retain the "Maintain Safe Speed" tagline.

D. Sheldon, Bantam Borough Warden, said the Borough prefers to keep the speed tagline and asked the committee to solicit an opinion from Litchfield's land use attorney, Steve Byrne, on whether the "Maintain Safe Speed" wording constitutes protected speech that would remove DRAC's authority to require its removal. "Rite Way signs can change the lower board," Sheldon said, and the Borough plans to remove the Arts District hanging sign under the main sign while keeping the speed tagline.

Committee members noted that DRAC reviews signage for consistency with Litchfield zoning regulations and that elements displayed on signs should have a direct relationship to the entity proposing the sign, in contrast with State DOT road speed guidance, which the committee said is a different regulatory matter. The committee recorded that the application is an after-the-fact request for approval.

DRAC voted to continue the application to its July 2 meeting pending follow-up from Litchfield's land use attorney and additional clarifications, and staff noted the two signs currently within the Town of Litchfield could be relocated inside the Borough boundaries to avoid Litchfield zoning jurisdiction. The committee did not take a final approval vote at the June 4 meeting.

Next steps: DRAC will review the attorney's opinion and reconsider the application on July 2. The application remains listed as an after-the-fact request; any relocation of the Litchfield-located signs was described as an option rather than a decided action.