The board also discussed the possibility of amending a local law that would allow flashing signs for public schools and public firehouses.
Tommasone said that the scrolling electronic signs in front of these public buildings provide vital information to town residents.
“These signs could be of use during times of emergency if the town needed to get the word out on something quickly,” said Tommasone.
The sign outside of Mohonasen High School also provides information about upcoming school events including statewide tests and school plays.
If the resolution passes, the new law would make an exception for schools and firehouses, but would disallow private businesses or residents from displaying signs with flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights.
Good thing, considering Schalmont, Mohonasen and District 6 already have them. Let's get the laws with the times, people.
I mean really, if we decide that we don't want to recycle anymore, let's start throwing our bottles out our windows, then we can decide later that it's ok to litter and since people aren't getting their money back, it's illegal to collect deposit on "returnable" containers, because, if you throw them out your window, they're not returnable for you.
I really like the signs at both of the schools. Not only are they informational, but they look great and updates the area with some modern technology. Something badly needed in our area.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Rotterdam to have hearing on sign rule adjustments
ROTTERDAM — Town officials will consider a law next month that will allow the town’s fire and school districts to post illuminated signs outside their buildings. The law would allow the town’s two public school districts and seven volunteer fire departments to keep signs that contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights. Such uses are not provided for in the town’s existing ordinance, Supervisor Steve Tommasone said. The town considered revising the law after several residents and businesses complained about noncompliant signs throughout Rotterdam. Both the Mohonasen and Schalmont districts have illegal signs outside their campuses; the South Schenectady Fire Department also has a noncompliant sign. Tommasone said these signs never faced town approval because the state law allows the fi re and school districts to circumvent planning and zoning process. He said the amendment to the law takes into consideration public service and safety messages that are sometimes on these displays. Members of the town board will conduct a public hearing on the amendment in Town Hall at 7 p.m. March 12.
Posted on: 03/19/08 Ross Marvin, Spotlight Staff email: marvinr@spotlightnews.com
Anthony Segretto, owner of D’Aurizio’s Pizzeria on Curry Road, noticed a surge in business two years ago after he installed an electronic sign in his window that advertised the restaurant’s daily specials.
“I’d been in the same location for six years without a lot of success,” said Segretto, who bought the sign at a pizza expo in Las Vegas. “But after I installed the sign I had to hire three more employees to keep up.”
Last week, Segretto learned his beloved sign is in violation with Rotterdam’s town code.
On Wednesday, March 12, the Rotterdam Town Board held a public hearing on a proposed change to the town code that would allow public schools and firehouses to use flashing signs but would continue to ban churches, fraternal organizations, business owners and private citizens from erecting any sign illuminated by or containing flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights.
While Segretto said he hadn’t been cited for his sign, he wanted to ensure that he wouldn’t have to take it down if the town’s code amendment passed.
“Business had increased 25 percent, and I don’t do any other form of advertising,” said Segretto at the public hearing.
Segretto said he’s been considering opening a second location in Rotterdam, but would look to develop his business outside the town if he couldn’t install an electronic sign.
Tim Prescott, a sales consultant for Ray Sign in Schenectady also spoke at the public hearing. His company installed the electronic signs at Mohonasen High School and at the Blue Ribbon Diner in Schenectady. He said business has slowed because laws, like the one on the books in Rotterdam, only allow certain organizations to use his electronic signs.
“We’re not trying to turn the town into Las Vegas,” said Prescott. “This is a new type of signage. You can change the message periodically throughout the day with relative ease, regardless of weather.”
Supervisor Steven Tommasone said he thinks the board will have to take a hard look at its code, considering the needs of small businesses and fraternal organizations. He also said it’s important to consider quality of life issues of residents and to look at the codes of neighboring municipalities.
Originally, Tommasone said the board wanted to make an exemption for public schools and public firehouses to ensure public safety.
“In the event of an emergency, these signs could be used to provide important information to people,” Tommasone said at an agenda meeting in February.
He said the town will likely go forward with the proposed exemption, but will look closely at the possibility of revising the town code further, taking the needs of small businesses and fraternal organizations into account.
“We’re going to have the Department of Public Works look at some of the types of signs available,” he said. “What we don’t want to see is a proliferation of blinking signs. But, we also want to afford businesses and nonprofits to have some form of signage.”
Last month, the planning commission recommended that the board include “fraternal nonprofit organizations” in their exemption.
Tommasone said much of the problem stems from the fact that the town code is out of date. He said the current administration will continue to work toward updating the town code.
“It doesn’t take into account the sign technology out there today,” said Tommasone. “Our code responds to things that are very different from today.”
He said the town will likely go forward with the proposed exemption, but will look closely at the possibility of revising the town code further, taking the needs of small businesses and fraternal organizations into account.
give them an inch and, well, you get screwed.....
the town needs to update it's INFRASTRUCTURE.....NOW!!! if the roads and sidewalks and lighting were UP WITH THE TIMES, folks would find Rotterdam an 'interesting place' to stop and shop......please get off your a@#@#$ and get moving.....stop the cheap trash look.....who owns the signage company????? Friends????
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Posted on: 04/23/08 Written by: Ross Marvin, Spotlight Staff email: marvinr@spotlightnews.com
The Rotterdam Town Board on Wednesday, April 9, voted unanimously to adopt a local law that permits only public schools and public firehouses to use lighted signage.
The new law states that, except for public schools and firehouses, no sign can contain or be illuminated by flashing, intermittent rotating or moving lights.
Last month, a number of local business owners complained in front of the board that the exemption should be extended to include town businesses.
Supervisor Steven Tommasone said he would consult with the public works department and with members of the planning commission to consider whether or not it would be viable for the town to permit businesses and certain nonprofit organizations to use flashing signs.
“What we don’t want is a proliferation of these signs, but we understand we need to keep up with the technology,” said Tommasone.
Tommasone said he would be supportive of expanding the exemption so long as the signs stayed within the confines of a given piece of property and were not in the street. He also said he would only favor an expanded exemption if the signs were turned off when the business is closed.
Tommasone said he wants to ensure the quality of life of Rotterdam’s residents is not infringed on by a rapid increase of signage, but he also admitted that he wanted to protect the town’s small business owners who can’t afford to constantly advertise their businesses elsewhere.
“We have to keep our small business people in town,” said Tommasone. “The cost of advertising is rising and our businesses are looking for a competitive advantage. Lighted signs may not sound like a big issue, but for some small business owners it may be.”
In last month’s public hearing on the law, Anthony Segretto, owner of D’Aurizio’s Pizzeria on Curry Road admitted that an electronic sign in his window that advertised his daily pizza and chicken wing specials was in violation of the town code.
Segretto said his sign was his major means of advertising, and since its installation two years ago, he had to hire more staff to keep up with an increase in business.
“Business had increased 25 percent,” said Segretto.
Tommasone said that businesses like D’Aurizio’s Pizzeria would not be cited with a violation while public works and the planning commission investigate the possibility of passing a new local law that would allow more electronic signs. You can contact marvinr@spotlightnews.com with any questions.
I generally believe the Town is doing the right thing by trying to address what they obviously perceive to be an impending proliferation of these flashing signs. In true fashion, however, they seem to be stumbling their way through constructing appropriate regulations. They're just signs.
Even if they finally get it together, I'm wondering where the enforcement for violations will come from. I'd much rather see an increased effort to regulate "regular" signage, I think.
Either way, there is more pressing business than this issue.
I generally believe the Town is doing the right thing by trying to address what they obviously perceive to be an impending proliferation of these flashing signs. In true fashion, however, they seem to be stumbling their way through constructing appropriate regulations. They're just signs.
Even if they finally get it together, I'm wondering where the enforcement for violations will come from. I'd much rather see an increased effort to regulate "regular" signage, I think.
Either way, there is more pressing business than this issue.
I couldn't agree with you more! Signage should be addressed in the updated comp. plan.
always worry about the trench coat and it being closed(that's what a true politician does, as long as it looks good on the outside)....as for what is under the trench coat and dealing with that---well, let me just say...... Spitzer.........
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
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