Planning commission approves draft sign bylaw amendment, forwards recommendation to select board

S1 (chair) called the meeting to order and the planning commission voted to accept the draft amendment to the town sign bylaws and forward the recommendation to the select board for final action. The vote was decided by voice; the chair declared, “The ayes take it,” and commissioners instructed staff to proceed with public‑notice steps.

The amendment is two pages and changes existing sign rules on square footage, per‑face measurement, height limits and exemptions for municipal signs and agricultural operations. Commissioners discussed whether to default to the state maximum of 64 square feet (Title 10) or set a smaller local cap and agreed to forward the draft while seeking select‑board review and a public hearing. S2 (committee member) asked that the draft explicitly state that reported square footage refers to “per face” and proposed adding a one‑sign‑per‑premises provision unless otherwise noted. S5 (mayor) emphasized the commission is advisory: "We're only advisory. Our recommendation goes to the select board," and noted the select board may accept, open it to a town vote, or act directly.