[Adopted by the Board of Selectmen as last amended 7-28-2009]
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and regulations for the placement of seasonal decorations, banners or other display items on utility poles within the Town of Conway. These regulations are intended to protect property values and the area's natural resources that provide the basis for the Town's tourist economy. This policy encourages uses that are visually and aesthetically consistent with rural living and a tourism economy and serves to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the community. This policy is also intended to control and schedule the use of utility poles and, further, to assure that no business names and business logos will be displayed as part of seasonal decorations.
A seasonal decoration permit approved by the Code Compliance Officer and Board of Selectmen is required. A permit application must be submitted no later than 60 calendar days prior to the placement of the decorations. A denial of a permit may be appealed to the Board of Selectmen no later than 30 calendar days prior to the placement of the decorations.
A. 
Decorations must comply with all applicable Town ordinances.
B. 
Only municipal or local nonprofit organizations are eligible to submit an application.
C. 
This policy does not apply to advertising for events subject to permitting under the Town of Conway special events permit or temporary event permit.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 120, Special Events.
D. 
The winter season for decorations is established to be from November 15 until March 15. Decorations associated with other seasons or with particular marketing campaigns may be displayed for defined time periods with the approval of the Town.
E. 
For applications for placement of decorations in North Conway Village, any organization placing seasonal decorations on utility poles shall be required to have an approval letter from the appropriate utility company.
F. 
For applications for placement in Conway Village:
(1) 
Approval to place decorations is contingent upon the Town receiving approval of a municipal pole license agreement from Eversource Energy.
(2) 
The applicant will be required to pay any costs associated with securing this permit or with compliance with this permit.
(3) 
As a condition of this permit, the applicant will be required to comply with the guidelines set forth in the municipal pole licensing agreement between the Town of Conway and Eversource Energy.
G. 
Decorations shall not present a danger or create any nuisance to either vehicles or pedestrians.
H. 
Decorations shall be kept in good repair and working order. Worn, tattered or dirty banners are not acceptable. The Town reserves the right to remove any banners at any time without consulting the applicant.
I. 
Advertising of any kind, including corporate or business logos, shall not be permitted on the decorations.
J. 
Pertinent documentation, including photographs or drawings of the proposed banners, is to be included with the application.
K. 
Seasonal decorations may be affixed only to the following utility poles:
(1) 
North Conway Village. New Hampshire Electric Cooperative utility pole numbers 17-9, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 80-87, 89, 90, 92, and 93, located between Grove Street and Pine Street in North Conway Village.
(2) 
Conway Village. West Main Street to Route 16 (utility pole numbers 333-380, 384, 385, 387, 390, 392, 394, 398, 399, 401, 202E-202).
L. 
Failure to comply with this policy will result in the revocation of the seasonal decorations permit. Upon revocation of the permit, the applicant will be required to remove all decorations within two working days of notice. If decorations are not removed, the Town reserves the right to remove any and all decorations that it so chooses.
M. 
A certificate of general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence, explicitly naming the Town of Conway as an additional named insured, is required.
N. 
Annual permits may be requested that request approval to place decorations for multiple seasons during a given year.
O. 
A fee in an amount set from time to time by the Board of Selectmen will be required.
[Amended 4-11-2017 ATM by Art. 29]