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Old Saybrook panel outlines plans for historic-marker program, debates who pays
Summary
The Historic District Commission discussed a local plaque program, including outreach, design, production logistics and budget. Members debated whether the commission should underwrite a small number of plaques, set age criteria (50 years discussed), or let owners purchase standardized plaques, and agreed to do outreach and prepare mock-ups for early recipients.
Members of the Old Saybrook Historic District Commission discussed details of a proposed historic-marker (plaque) program on June 16, weighing design choices, budget constraints and selection rules as staff reported limited but positive feedback from stakeholders.
Staff said she had reached out to the historical society, Chamber of Commerce and local businesses; the historical society was supportive, while business-owner contact information is incomplete and would require assessor lookups. The staff member noted many buildings in the Main Street area dated to the mid-20th century, which prompted discussion about whether the chosen sign style would suit buildings from the 1950s as well as older structures.
Commissioners discussed practical production details. They identified a local vendor (Computer Signs) that can produce vinyl-lettered Azek plaques and recommended producing proofs for owners to review before printing. Two size options (18 by 10 and 12 by 8) were confirmed; the tagline being proposed is “Historic Old Saybrook.”
Budget and equity were central to the discussion. The commission’s annual budget for the item was about $2,000 and members suggested sponsoring the first two or three plaques to publicize the program; some commissioners volunteered to personally sponsor sample plaques. Options considered included (a) Commission-funded limited free plaques each year (three suggested), (b) allowing owners to buy plaques at cost, with the Commission coordinating design and orders, or (c) a mixed approach with a small number subsidized and others purchased by owners. Members discussed using a raffle or minimum-age criterion if demand for free plaques exceeded available funds.
Next steps: staff will prepare mock-ups and reach out to known early candidates; the Commission aims to publicize the program (local magazine and newspaper) and to place orders after July 1 if the fiscal-year timing and invoices allow. No formal appropriation was made at the meeting.
