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Haverhill council discusses proposed limits on holiday decorations; no vote taken
Summary
Council members reviewed research and discussed language allowing displays 45 days before and until 40 days after a holiday; staff warned nuisance-enforcement routes are harder to administer and no ordinance was adopted.
Council members reviewed proposed ordinance language to set timeframes for displaying holiday decorations during the May 14 meeting.
Council Member Dennis Withington introduced research prepared by Town Administrator Tracey Stevens. Withington described the draft language as ‘‘not overly restrictive’’ and said it included an enforcement mechanism. Stevens advised that some municipalities enforce decoration timeframes through nuisance ordinances but that route can be harder to administer. After discussion the council agreed on a proposed rule—allowing decorations to be displayed 45 days prior to a holiday and left up until 40 days after the holiday—but did not vote to adopt an ordinance at the meeting.
The council directed staff to continue research and prepare proposed language for a future agenda if needed.
