[Amended 5-3-1978 ATM by Art. 31; 5-2-1989 STM by Art. 6; 5-5-1997 ATM by Art. 25]
A. 
Signs.
(1) 
No sign shall be erected or maintained on any premises in connection with a use permitted in a residential area by the Zoning By-Law, except:
(a) 
Such sign as may be permitted by the Zoning By-Law or by operation of law.
(b) 
Signs advertising government and public service uses (as defined by the Zoning By-Law) and signs advertising institutional and recreational uses (as defined by the Zoning By-Law) which announce one or more of the following: the name of the occupant of the premises, the nature of the occupancy or information as to the use of the premises, or admission to the premises.
(c) 
Street signs and other municipal signs erected by the Town for the maintenance of traffic and parking control or for the posting of rules governing the use of Town property.
(d) 
Street signs and parking signs erected by private owners with the permission of the Select Board.
(e) 
Existing signs on the property of a nonconforming business. Any change in such signs is subject to a special permit.
(f) 
A freestanding sign indicating the occupants of a residence may be maintained provided that it is no greater than two square feet in area and no more than seven feet in height above ground level.
(2) 
All such exceptions as specified above shall be subject to other applicable by-laws and shall be subject to reasonable needs as interpreted by the Building Commissioner. Decisions of the Building Commissioner on this provision may be appealed to the Board of Appeals, as provided for in § 148-10.
B. 
Off-premises signs. No off-premises sign shall be erected or maintained in a residential area.
A. 
Signs.
(1) 
In business areas, signs that comply with the provisions hereinafter set forth are permitted. All other signs are expressly prohibited.
(a) 
Location. The sign shall be affixed to a building, except as hereinafter provided. A sign attached to a building shall be securely affixed to one of the walls of the building. No sign, whether affixed to a wall or roof of a building, shall project above the highest line of the main roof of the building; provided, however, that if the sign is attached to a wall having a parapet extending above the highest line of such roof, then the sign may reach, but may not project above the top of the parapet wall. In addition, projecting signs require authorization of the Select Board prior to installation if they project over Town property.
[Amended 5-3-1978 ATM by Art. 31; 5-7-1984 ATM by Art. 19; 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 33]
(b) 
Size.
[Amended 5-7-1984 ATM by Art. 19; 5-5-1997 ATM by Art. 25; 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 33]
Height
Length
Total s.f.
Awning sign
Valence
75%
50%
n/a
Face
n/a
n/a
10 s.f.
Banners and flags
n/a
n/a
15 s.f.
Freestanding
n/a
n/a
10 s.f.
Incidental
n/a
n/a
3 s.f.
Off-premises
Per Board of Appeals
Per Board of Appeals
Per Board of Appeals
Projecting
n/a
n/a
6 s.f.
Transom
2' 0"
Full length storefront
n/a
Tradesman
n/a
n/a
10 s.f.
Wall-mounted
2' 0"
 75%
n/a
Window signs
n/a
n/a
10 s.f.
(c) 
Number. There shall not be more than three exterior sign(s) for each store, excluding incidental signs, except that if the store, that faces upon an additional street or parking area, there may be an additional sign affixed to such wall; provided, however, that no store shall have more than two additional signs in any event. In addition to the foregoing sign or signs, there may be one directory sign of the occupants or tenants of the building.
[Amended 5-3-1978 ATM by Art 31; 5-5-1997 ATM by Art. 25; 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 33]
(d) 
Special signs. In particular instances the Board of Appeals may permit a sign or more than the number of signs hereinabove permitted, or signs of a size or in a location other than hereinabove specified, if it determines that the architecture of the building, the location of the building with reference to the street or the nature of the use is such that additional signs or signs of a greater size should be permitted in the public interest. In particular, signs indicating the time and temperature may be permitted by the Board of Appeals by special permit upon a finding that they are of special service to the community. In granting such permission, the Board of Appeals shall specify the size and location of the sign or signs and impose such other terms and restrictions as it may deem to be in the public interest.
[Amended 5-3-1978 ATM by Art. 31]
(e) 
Construction. No sign shall be painted or posted directly on the exterior surface of any wall except glass. All signs must be painted, posted or otherwise securely affixed to a substantial intermediary removable surface and such surface shall be securely affixed to the wall of the building. The foregoing, however, shall not prevent installation of a sign by individual letters or devices cut into or securely affixed to the exterior wall of a building, provided that such letters or devices have a minimum depth or projection of 1/4 of an inch and a maximum depth of four inches and a projection of six inches. The material of the sign and intermediary surface and the manner of affixation of the sign to the intermediary surface and of the intermediary surface to the wall of the building shall be subject to the approval of the Building Commissioner for the purpose of protecting the safety of the public.
[Amended 5-2-1989 STM by Art. 6; 5-5-1997 ATM by Art. 25]
(f) 
Standing signs. Standing signs are prohibited except as follows:
[1] 
In particular instances the Board of Appeals may permit standing signs if it determines that the nature of the use of the premises, the architecture of the building, or the location of the building with reference to the street is such that a standing sign or signs should be permitted in the public interest. In granting such permission the Board of Appeals shall specify the size, type and location of the sign and impose such other terms and restrictions as it may deem to be in the public interest.
[2] 
During the construction of a building a tradesman sign may be erected on the premises identifying the building, the owner, the contractors, the architects or the engineers. Such sign shall be removed promptly after the substantial completion by the trade of the building, project or service.
[Amended 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 33]
(g) 
Gasoline filling stations and garages. Gasoline filling stations and garages may, if they elect to do so, divide that one exterior sign affixed to the front wall of the building, to which they are entitled as hereinabove provided, into separate signs affixed to and parallel to such wall and indicating the separate operations or departments of the business; provided, however, that the total of the widths of the separate signs shall not exceed the maximum width permitted under this By-Law for a single exterior sign on such wall. In addition, one sign, standing or otherwise, indicating the company whose gasoline is being sold, may be erected of such type, in such location, and in such manner as the Board of Appeals may permit. The standard type of gasoline pump bearing thereon, in usual size and form, the name or type of gasoline and the price thereof, shall not be deemed to be in violation of this By-Law.
[Amended 5-5-1997 ATM by Art. 25]
(h) 
Maintenance. All signs, whether erected before or after the effective date of this By-Law, shall be maintained in a safe condition and its original aesthetic condition to protect the safety of the public.
[Amended 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 33]
(i) 
Flags or banners. One flag or banner may be used as a sign in addition to any other sign or signs otherwise permitted in this By-Law, provided that:
[Added 5-7-1984 ATM by Art. 19; amended 5-6-2013 ATM by Art. 33]
[1] 
Such a flag or banner shall be mounted in a temporary manner in order to be displayed only during business hours.
[2] 
When displayed, the height of the bottom of such a flag or banner shall not be less than seven feet from the ground.
[3] 
If such flags or banners project over Town property, permission from the Select Board is required.
[4] 
The flag or banner shall be made of woven material, using man-made or natural fibers.
B. 
Off-premises signs.
(1) 
No off-premises sign shall be erected or maintained in any business district:
(a) 
Within 50 feet of any public highway;
(b) 
Within 300 feet of any public park, playground, or other public grounds, if within view of any portion of the same;
(c) 
Within a radius of 150 feet from the point where the center lines of two or more public ways intersect;
(d) 
Upon the roof of any building;
(e) 
Exceeding an area of 300 square feet or a height of 12 feet;
(f) 
Containing visible moving or movable parts or be lighted with flashing, animated or intermittent illumination;
(g) 
Without the approval of the Board of Appeals.
(2) 
This section shall not apply to signs exempted by Section 32 of Chapter 93 of the General Laws.
The light from any sign or advertising lights shall be so shaded, shielded or directed or shall be maintained at a sufficiently low level of intensity and brightness that it shall not adversely affect neighboring premises nor the safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on public roads and highways. All lighted signs and advertising lights shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that they shall not reflect or shine on or into residential structures to an extent that would adversely affect them.
A. 
No sign or off-premises sign containing visible moving or movable parts or lighted with flashing, animated or intermittent illumination shall be erected or maintained in any district.
[Added 5-3-1978 ATM by Art. 31]
B. 
No sign or off-premises sign which is comprised of exposed, illuminated tubes containing neon or other gases shall be erected or maintained in any district.
[Added 5-3-1978 ATM by Art. 31]
C. 
Self-illuminating back-lit signs whether permanent or temporary, attached to the building or freestanding, including vending machines are expressly prohibited.
[Added 5-5-1997 ATM by Art. 25]