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Board debates vendor fee waivers and whether sponsorship signs amount to campaigning
Summary
Members discussed whether to waive vendor fees for non-selling activities (children's fishing game, educational booths) and whether signage saying 'sponsored by' constitutes prohibited campaigning on town property; Chair emphasized avoiding official political activity.
Board members debated whether to waive vendor fees when groups do not sell goods (for example, a children's fishing game or an educational booth by the fire department) and whether signage such as "sponsored by Democrats" would constitute campaigning on town property. The chair said, "We're a government board. We're not supposed to be doing anything political on a government board," and members wrestled with whether past practice of waiving fees should continue.
One member recommended creating a written policy to clarify that non-vending informational activities should not be charged, while also cautioning that distribution of campaign materials or active solicitation of votes would cross a line. The board did not adopt a written policy in the excerpt but indicated they would consider formalizing procedures to avoid inconsistent treatment at community events.
