Pitman council debates restricting Broadway banners to Borough use

Solicitor Wright presented council members with a draft banner policy based on earlier discussions. The draft would limit lamppost banners along Broadway to government entities created by the Borough and require applications to be submitted by November 1 for Council approval for the following year. Wright said the Signage Ordinance should be amended to prevent banners in the right of way and "allow this space for government use only."

Council President James proposed two options to reduce conflict between groups: either have all applications submitted in advance for Council to vote on the yearly schedule, or allow council liaisons to gather input from committees and then have Council set the schedule independently. Members discussed a right of first refusal for conflicting applications, adding double brackets to poles to accommodate multiple events, and the difficulty of finding volunteers to swap banners monthly. Mayor Razze warned that double brackets would not work in some locations because delivery trucks could hit taller fixtures. Solicitor Wright said he would draft policy versions reflecting the options discussed for Council review at a future meeting.

No formal vote was taken; the policy will return for further drafting and possible amendment to the borough signage ordinance.