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Sunman council agrees to pursue grant, move forward on replacing town marquee with digital sign
Summary
The council voted to pursue a Ripley County Community Foundation grant and begin appropriations to replace the town's single‑color marquee with a Watchfire digital sign after a presentation by Green Sign Company. Funding pledges and operation details, including auto‑dimming and scheduling, were discussed.
Carrie Fitzpatrick of Green Sign Company demonstrated a Watchfire digital sign and the Sunman council agreed to pursue grant funding and begin the appropriation steps to replace the town's existing single‑color marquee. "My name is Carrie Fitzpatrick Green Company. Um we're based out of Greensburg, Indiana," she told the council and described the product's features, including auto‑dimming, 4G wireless connectivity, customizable content and free training included with the software.
The vendor showed a 4‑by‑8 demo unit but said the town had been quoted a 3‑by‑7 sign and proposed replacing the sign cabinet faces to refresh the top portion that reads "Town of Sunman." Fitzpatrick said the signs carry a five‑year parts warranty and that parts would be available on the shelf for 10 years; manufacture and installation were estimated at roughly four to six weeks after ordering.
Council members discussed how to pay for the project. Fitzpatrick and staff outlined an expected funding package that included $2,000 from the Parks and Recreation operating budget, $2,000 from restricted opioid (marshal) funds, a $5,000 contribution from the water utility, and an application to the Ripley County Community Foundation; the presentation stated the project and additional appropriations would still leave an estimated balance of $132,000 in the referenced fund (figure cited by the presenter). The presenter said Ripley County does not require a permit when replacing an existing digital sign of the same size.
Council members pressed on concerns about brightness and control; Fitzpatrick said the sign can be scheduled and dimmed and access can be limited to a few password holders. One council member said funding concerns made them lean toward abstaining or voting no, while others supported the idea as a way to update a deteriorating structure and improve town communications.
The council made a motion to approve moving forward with the additional appropriations and to apply to the Ripley County Community Foundation for the grant; the motion was seconded and proceeded. Next steps recorded in the meeting included applying for the foundation grant, confirming Ripley County sign permit rules, and returning with appropriation paperwork if the grant process or other funding sources require formal budget action.
