Revised Signage Zoning Bylaw Will Come Before Voters a Second Time at May 15 ATM
The revised and updated Article 9 of the Zoning Bylaws of the Town of Winchendon, dealing with "Signs," will be placed before voters a second time at the 2023 Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 15, with some changes made to the text.
The revised section, which runs for 17 pages, evoked fervent debate among the Board of Selectmen, and at a public hearing before Annual Town Meeting last year. It was not recommended by three of the five Selectmen. The revised Bylaw failed by a slim margin at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting. Zoning Bylaw amendments require a two-thirds majority (at least 67 percent in favor) to pass, and the vote came in at 64 percent in favor, 36 percent opposed.
At their meeting this week, on Tuesday, April 4, the Planning Board went over the slightly revised text for the new Bylaw, highlighting the updates and inviting the public to comment, either by contacting them directly, or by attending a public hearing on Tuesday, April 18.
Recapping the history of the Zoning Bylaw update, Planning Board Chair Guy Corbosiero explained, "I want to just make a little mention about how we ended up here....about three years ago, Planning and Development [Director] Tracy Murphy decided that we need to update our Bylaws. It was an ongoing discussion. So what she did is she went and she got a grant, it was a 20-something thousand dollar figure, and hired Brovitz Community Planning and Design to take a look at our Bylaws, do an audit, and then rewrite the Bylaws accordingly."
Ted Brovitz recommended a complete update of the entire sign Bylaw, including color photographs to illustrate the sign types mentioned, defining consistent good design standards for signage, and addressing items such as painted wall murals, monument signs, window signs, suspended signs, display cases, electronic signs and many other specific sign types, some of which hadn't even been invented when the existing Bylaw was written in 2007.
While all the Zoning Bylaws were being considered, "Tracy and Ted...felt that the sign Bylaw was the easiest one to get by Town Meeting. Little did they know our Town Meeting," Mr. Corbosiero said.
The Board then went over the changes made to the proposed new sign Bylaw from 2022. They are as follows:
In the "Purpose" paragraph of section 9.1, the word "residents" was added so that the Bylaw begins, "The purpose of this article is to provide property owners, residents, and occupants..."
Item 9.1.7 (expanding on "Purpose") was bumped to become 9.1.8, and a new item 9.1.7 is added to read: "9.1.7. Preserve the character of community while allowing all residents and businesses their constitutional right to freedom of speech." This responds to concerns expressed about whether the signage regulations might infringe on freedom of speech in some cases.
Under section 9.2, "Applicability," a new item has been added: "9.2.3. All signs placed on public property or within a public right-of-way are subject to approval by the Town Manager or his/her designee according to provisions set forth in the Town Manager's Policies and Procedures." This sets out clearly in the Bylaw what was already an established policy, but a somewhat obscure one.
In section 9.7, item 9.7.2-1, the words "requiring new" are added (to read, "All electrical fixtures requiring new devices, circuits, conduits, raceways...") to clarify that the rule applies to new electrical installations.
In the section 9.9 "Permitted Accessory and Principal Signs," in the table in item 9.1.1, Mr. Corbosiero suggested changing the permissions for A-Frame/Sidewalk signs from "N" (not allowed, period) in Zones R-80, R-40, R-10 and Industrial, to "SP" (allowed with special permit). "I think we should give people as much freedom for signs...I have no problem with A-frame or sidewalk signs if they're done correctly," Mr. Corbosiero said. "So I thought if we change that from a No to a Special Permit, that way we could put limitations on it. Whether we say, okay you can do this for X number of weeks." Temporary signs are allowed for up to 90 days according to the current regulations.
In Figure 9.9.4, "Permanent Principal Design Standards," item G, "Suspended Signs," the words "Information on the sign must relate to the business" remain. The following words, "additional information is prohibited" have been deleted as redundant. In Item H, "Wall Murals," the words "or permanently affixed to" have been added (to read, "A sign that is directly painted on or permanently affixed to the exterior wall of a building..."). This responds to questions raised last year about signs made of durable materials that were attached to an exterior wall as opposed to being painted on.
Also in Figure 9.9.4, "Permanent Principal Design Standards," item J, "Monument Signs," the line under "Other Functional Standards" stating that electronic message boards must be a continuous, non-flashing stream has been moved to section 9.6, "Sign Illumination," so it applies generally to all signs. Under item K, "Wall Signs," the section beginning "Two or more businesses served by a single common building entrance are considered 1 business for sign computation purposes..." is deleted. Each business gets the same amount of sign, even if they're sharing a building entrance.
In section 9.10, "Temporary and Exempt Signs," in the table under B, Special Event Signs and Street Banners are changed from permitted only for approved home, churches, schools and institutions, to approved for anyone by Special Permit. "I just think that again, liberalizing our sign law to allow people the do the most they can to promote their business. And that's what signs are all about," Mr. Corbosiero said.
Under C, "Permitted Temporary Sign Standards," number 7, "Building Inspector" is deleted and replaced with "Zoning Enforcement Officer" (to read, "To be determined by the Zoning Enforcement Officer"). Mr. Corbosiero admitted, "Right now our Building Inspector and Zoning Enforcement Officer is the same person, but I would hope that very soon, someday [Town Manager Justin Sultzbach] will find the money to hire a Zoning Enforcement Officer that just his job is to enforce zoning, because making the Building Inspector do that along with his building inspector job is not productive."
At the end of section 9.10, a new subsection D, item 1 is added: "Governmental Signs. Signs, including movable signs, erected, and maintained by the Town of Winchendon, any other municipal corporation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or the Federal Government on any land, building or structure in use by such governmental entity. Any other signs erected by such governmental entity at any location required for public or environmental health, safety, or notification purposes, or announcing the date, time and place of elections or town meetings." The allows for the town to put up signs for town elections, or the Department of Public Works or Police Department to quickly place electronic signs for emergency road closings, and things of that nature.
In section 9.11, "Prohibited Temporary Signs," the words "People Signs" are deleted. It is okay for live people to stand in front of a business or event holding a sign and waving to the public. The other signs listed, included feather flags or teardrop flags, remain prohibited.
After the changes had been reviewed, Planning/Land Use Coordinator Nicole Roberts asked for clarification that the Special Permitting authority for signs would be the Planning Board and not the Zoning Board of Appeals (as it currently is according to the 2007 Bylaw). Section 9.3, item 9.3.1 states, "The Planning Board shall serve as the Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA) for the purpose of reviewing Special Permit applications for signs under this section."
With the Board in agreement, having no further comments, Mr. Corbosiero said, "And again, if there's any public out there watching us, if you've heard something you don't like, please get ahold of Nicole, or chew the ear off any one of the Board members. And please come to the public hearing."
The public hearing to discuss the proposed Bylaw Amendment will be Tuesday, April 18, at 6:00 p.m., in the Town Hall 2nd Floor Auditorium (fully accessible by elevator).
Click here to read the current, 2007, Signage Zoning Bylaw. (PDF) (Article 9 of the Zoning Bylaws)
Click here to read the 2022 proposed amended Signage Zoning Bylaw. (PDF)
Click here to read the **DRAFT** (subject to change!) 2023 proposed amended Signage Zoning Bylaw. (PDF) Changes from 2022 have been highlighted in yellow.
For Courier coverage of the 2022 Zoning Bylaw Amendment discussions, see:
"Discussion of Signage Bylaw Heats Up BOS Meeting" in the September 3-October 7, 2021 edition of the Winchendon Courier
"Residents Voice Questions, Concerns at Public Hearing for Revised Signage Bylaw" in the April 7-14, 2022 edition of the Winchendon Courier
Demolished!
A once former and long dilapidated and contaminated auto repair garaged located formerly at the busy intersection of 3 Beech and Spring Streets, began being torn down this past Monday, April 3, and hauled away by a town hired contractor, making way for a small future water front park. This project years in the making, was made possible by a joint venture through which the Town of Winchendon and the former property owner who resides in the State of Maine, agreed to transfer ownership of the property for back taxes owed to the town, allowing the town to eventually remove the long standing defunct property, which also involved extensive removal of items by Toy Town DPW employees helping allow the stage to be set during the legal process.
The former Four C's Garage standing on its own one last night before demolition began the very next day with an excavator to the delight of many making way for a future small water front park along the gateway to the down town business district.
Photo by Keith Kent
Loading it up! Seen in this photo, an excavator loads up one of multiple loads in to a demo style combination tractor and trailer, clearing the way to the lower cement pad of the site, getting rid of the entire former cement block foundation.
Photo by Keith Kent
Open water front. This small field now cleared on the left of the former garage property, once formally filled with dozens of used tires and various scraps of multiple sorts, now shows an open water front field, which by Wednesday, April 5, already had a father and son along with others viewed fishing along the cleared shore line, something once just days ago not possible.
Photo by Keith Kent
A Glimpse of things to come! - As seen across from the opposite side of the Spring Street Bridge, the new cleared lot provides a much cleaner view entering the town business district with the former dilapidated building now removed, making way for a new soon to come small water front park sure to help improve the view once complete.
Photo by Keith Kent
GFA Federal Credit Union and HEAL Winchendon Host a Reality Fair at Murdock High School
Photo courtesy of GFA Federal Credit Union
Gardner MA - GFA Federal Credit Union partnered with HEAL Winchendon to host the first Financial Reality Fair at Murdock High School. Approximately 80 juniors and seniors attended the fair.
"We were so excited to offer this engaging, experiential learning opportunity to our students," said Mary Jane Rickson, Murdock High School Principal; "it was great to see the students interact with the community volunteers and learn to balance their wants and needs."
Prior to the Reality Fair students selected a career path and were given a starting salary. Local businesses and organizations such as the Winchendon Police Department, HUB International, Growing Places and Franklin Pierce University volunteered to pose as vendors for the event.
During the fair students visited each vendor to find housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing and even a "Wheel of Reality." The wheel offers opportunities, such as winning the lottery, or downfalls like a flat tire. The student's goal is to make sure they can live on their budget while having some savings. The last stop of the fair is to the Credit Counselor table. The Credit Counselors check the student's ledgers and make sure they were successful or advise on how to get their budget back on track.
"When GFA mentioned the Reality Fair to us at HEAL Winchendon we thought it would be a perfect collaboration," said Miranda Jennings, Project Manager for HEAL Winchendon; "working hand in hand building on our shared strengths and knowledge to address the needs of the Winchendon community--what better way to do that then providing financial literacy to our youth."
About GFA Federal Credit Union
Established in 1938, GFA Federal Credit Union stands as one of the last original financial institutions in the Gardner area, with more than $675 million in assets and ten convenient full-service branch locations throughout Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. GFA offers personal and business banking, home mortgages, investment management, and insurance services. For more information, please visit www.gfafcu.com.
Photo by Keith Kent
Photo by Keith Kent
Seen in these photos in a large field at the intersection of Forristall and Elmwood Road, are just some of the over 20 wild Turkeys which after making their way across the street, took their time grazing in the pasture as often seen totally oblivious to surroundings and seemingly enjoying seeing the bare grass again just like most of their human counterparts.
Land Trusts Join Together for 4th Annual "Give Back to the Land Day"
On April 20, the Thursday before Earth Day, four regional Massachusetts land trusts are encouraging community members to give back to the land with a gift to support local land conservation.
Give Back to the Land Day was first organized in 2020 as the COVID pandemic changed the landscape of social organizing, and four regional land trusts came together to think creatively about ways to engage community support for land conservation. This year, these four land trusts are partnering again to raise funds to protect the landscapes of western and central Massachusetts.
Hilltown Land Trust (HLT), Kestrel Land Trust (Kestrel), Franklin Land Trust (FLT), and Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust (Mount Grace) will be participating in this year's 24-hour online giving day to raise funds to conserve trails, forests, farms, and waterways in Massachusetts.
Western and Central Massachusetts boast an abundance of forests, family farms, public trails, meadows, and waterways that provide clean air and water, fresh local food, places to recreate, and important habitat for wildlife.
HLT, Kestrel, FLT, and Mount Grace have collectively conserved over 104,000 acres of our region's thriving environment, which supports the health of all who live, work, and play in this region. These natural resources also support people across the state and beyond, who rely on the healthy food produced on our local farms and drink the clean unpolluted water of our watersheds.
This year, each land trust is highlighting their work on a particular theme in land conservation to showcase the diverse and multifaceted nature of conservation work.
The Franklin Land Trust has a focus on conserving the historic pattern of field, woodland, and village that characterizes its region.
FLT supports a viable, local agricultural and forestry economy and encourages active land management. Farmland has been a key concern for FLT since it was founded in 1987 to conserve the Loomis Farm in Ashfield.
"For over 35 years, the Franklin Land Trust has been dedicated to conserving the natural resources of Franklin County and beyond. Through our efforts, we have protected over 14,000 acres of farmland and 21,000 additional acres of working landscapes, ensuring that these invaluable resources remain available for future generations to enjoy," says Mary Lynn Sabourin, Executive Director of Franklin Land Trust.
HLT, a land trust serving 13 rural towns in Western Massachusetts, has worked since 1986 to promote ecological diversity and respectful land stewardship. One of the themes of HLT's work in recent years has been wildlife connectivity and contiguous wildlife habitats.
"The Hilltown region lies in an important area for the migration and movement of wildlife, providing a corridor of wilderness that connects the highlands of the Hudson River area in New York to the Green Mountains in Vermont," said Sally Loomis, Executive Director of Hilltown Land Trust. "Protecting land that expands or connects parcels of critical habitat is one of our top priorities in determining which conservation projects to take on."
Kestrel, based in Amherst, has served the heart of the Connecticut River Valley for 52 years, conserving more than 27,000 acres of forests, farms, and riverways in Western Massachusetts. Kestrel works in partnership with willing landowners, communities, the Commonwealth, and federal agencies to create public conservation areas where people can experience the benefits of being outdoors. During this year's Give Back to the Land Day, Kestrel is highlighting the importance of creating welcoming access to parks and trails for all, including expanding opportunities for universal accessibility in outdoor recreation for those with mobility and other challenges.
Kristin DeBoer, Kestrel's Executive Director, said, "Part of Kestrel's mission has always been to nurture an enduring love of the land, which is made possible when all people are able to connect with nature in their own ways. Our goal is to make our nature retreats more welcoming to the public, and to create new universally accessible trails so that everyone has the chance to reap the physical, mental, and emotional benefits that come with spending time in nature."
Mount Grace has conserved 37,000 acres of open spaces, wildlands, woodlands, and farms in northern and central Massachusetts since it was founded in 1986, including 2,355 acres conserved in Winchendon. Winchendon projects with public access include Fern Glenn Conservation Area, Whitney Memorial, Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Winchendon Springs WMA, and 19th Hill WMA. Farmland conserved in Winchendon includes Sunset View Farm, Charlie's Red House Farm, Noonday Farm, and Murdock Farm. Mount Grace aims to benefit the environment, the economy, and future generations by protecting significant agricultural, natural, and scenic lands and encouraging land stewardship. Over the last few years, Mount Grace created its Climate and Land Justice Program to integrate this critical work into all aspects of its conservation, stewardship, and community outreach.
"We created a cultural use agreement with Nipmuk Cultural Preservation, Inc., giving legal rights for Tribal members to collect traditional medicine and food, hold ceremonies, and conduct cultural education," said Mount Grace Executive Director Emma Ellsworth. "Partners from the Nipmuc Tribe are now working with us to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into our stewardship tools, giving us a different perspective on what the land needs to be healthy and thriving."
Mount Grace will be hosting a Forestry Forum at Stone Cow Brewery in Barre, Wednesday, April 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m., to celebrate Give Back to the Land Day. The event is free and all are welcome.
By giving back to the land through supporting local land trusts, community members can help ensure a thriving environment that supports the health of all who live, work, and play in the region. Donations can be made directly to the land trusts or through the Give Back to the Land website, givebacktotheland.org.
Lacrosse for the little ones!
Seen in these recent photos taken on the center field of the track at the Clark Memorial YMCA, parents and coaches instruct their young lady athletes on how to play the "Sport of Lacrosse" now that the not long ago heavy snows have already melted and become a thing of the past. The children could be heard all the way up in to the upper parking lot laughing with joyous screams as both parents and coaches worked diligently to teach them the sport while keeping a watchful eye on all at all times.
Just some of the many young girls playing Lacrosse worked on their passing the ball skills as well as offense and defense.
Photo by Keith Kent
Seen in this photo, parents and coaches work on bringing many of the young potential future athletic stars together for instruction and direction so everybody could be on the same page for the next part of practice.
Photo by Keith Kent
No Access Road, No Parking, and No Bridges at Lake Dennison
The Lake Dennison State Park, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation or (DCR) currently has its main entrance gate known to many as the beach parking lot access, closed to traffic at this time due to ongoing park tree work and removal along the main entrance access road, in addition to its annually expected spring flooding issues.
Those looking to enjoy either walking, hiking, bicycle riding, or other in the local state park, can either find only limited parking outside the main gain along the state highway, or can still park nearby in the "Campground Entrance" north of the beach parking lot, across the street from the former site of Lucky Dragon Restaurant. Parking is still free to those looking to use the grounds at this time, as park officials do not begin to typically seek parking fees until the Memorial Holiday Weekend.
The main entrance to the "Lake Dennison State Park" is currently closed due to tree work along its main access road. Those looking to enter here, can only do so on foot or by bicycle, and have only limited parking outside the main entrance along the state highway. Many trees took significant damage after this past winters multiple ice and heavy wet snow storms.
Photo by Keith Kent
Seen in this photo, is just some of the various tree and large branch cutting being completed at this time under DCR direction, which is typically done to promote newer tree growth, remove older less healthy trees, and also along roads remove more than average dangerous branches which overhang both traffic and walkers alike.
Photo by Keith Kent
Seasonal Flooding. Even despite both a recent multiple foot recent snow storm, not long after followed by heavy rains, the Lake Dennison State Park while flooding, has not as of this time flooded nearly as normally high as many years in the past. Seen here the main access road entrance gate by the beach currently serves as a pond, however many years the public rest rooms in the background have been up to 3/4's and more under water.
Photo by Keith Kent
What Bridge? The bridge along New Boston Road just to the left of the public beach and also just before the picnicking and cooking parking area, is currently completing its annual seasonal spring time disappearing act. Also known to sometimes flood over in the fall during heavy rains, this small bridge just like the public boat ramp area a half mile past it, is virtually guaranteed to flood over every single year along with most of the other bridges behind it all the way to the Birch Hill Dam, which holds back water to prevent flooding in both the towns of Athol and Orange.
Photo by Keith Kent
Photo copyright © Beals Memorial Library