This bylaw is enacted to establish the process by which, in naming, renaming or otherwise designating public buildings, structures, bridges, and public lands, the Town seeks to recognize individuals, locations and/or events of significance in local history and local affairs.
[Adopted 6-7-2022 ATM by Art. 7]
The act of calling by a distinctive title, term, or expression any public buildings, structures or public lands as defined in this bylaw.
Benches, bricks, flagpoles, plaques, parking spaces, trees, scoreboards, and signs or other markers located on public lands or within public buildings or structures.
A word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of any public building, structure, bridges, or public lands as defined in this bylaw.
The individual or entity whose name is proposed.
Any structure, edifice, bridge or other facility owned or maintained by the Town of Southampton or any department or agency thereof.
Any real property owned or maintained by the Town of Southampton, or any department or agency thereof, including, but not limited to, playgrounds, parks, courts, athletic fields, intersections and medians, and private ways on public lands, but not including public ways regulated by § 82-9 of the General Bylaws.
The act of redesignating any public buildings, structures, bridges, or public lands as defined in this bylaw.
The naming, renaming or other designation of any public building, structure, bridge, or public lands shall be by majority vote at an Annual or Special Town Meeting. Once public buildings, structures, bridges, or public lands have been named, they shall not be renamed unless changes are recommended by the Select Board and approved by Town Meeting.
Any proposed name or designation of any public building, structure, bridge, or public lands shall be submitted to the Select Board, in writing, for its review and recommendation as to the appropriateness thereof.
A.
Applicable criteria for naming/renaming consideration shall include, but is not limited to:
(1)
Nominee's past residence in Southampton.
(2)
Nominee's extraordinary service to the Town.
(3)
Nominee's significant contribution to the Town.
(4)
The designated item to be named relates to the individual's service or contribution to the Town.
(5)
No public building, structure, bridge, or public lands shall be named for any living person, or commercial enterprise.
(6)
Letter of support from the Southampton Historical Commission, where applicable.
B.
The Select Board may consider additional standards and criteria for consideration of proposed names or designations. Following a duly advertised public hearing, the Select Board shall forward its recommendation(s) to Special or Annual Town Meeting for approval.
C.
The naming, renaming or other designation of individual rooms, areas or subareas within a public building or structure or areas or subareas associated with any public lands shall be by the department or agency having jurisdiction over the same. The Select Board shall be notified in writing in advance of the intent to name/rename or designate any subarea within public buildings, structures, and public lands. The Select Board shall be notified within seven days of the installation and naming or renaming permitted under this section. The requirements of Subsection B shall not apply to the naming, renaming or other designation authorized by this Subsection C, provided that the naming, renaming, or other designation is consistent with the following criteria:
(1)
Such rooms, areas, or subareas constitute less than 25% of the public building, structure or public lands at or in which the same may be located;
(2)
No such room, area or subarea shall be named for any living person;
(3)
No such room, area or subarea shall bear the name of a commercial enterprise; and
(4)
A duly advertised public hearing is held at which such naming, renaming or designation is considered and acted upon by said department or agency. Any person objecting to such naming, renaming or designation by the department or agency may, within 10 days thereafter, appeal the action in writing to the Select Board, which shall, after a duly advertised public hearing, approve or reject the action.
D.
The installation and naming, renaming or other designation of features shall be by the department or agency having jurisdiction over the same. The Select Board may, after a duly advertised public hearing, establish standards and specifications for signs, plaques, markers or other features to be erected on public property within the Town.