The proposed policy would limit advertising banners.
FARMINGTON – Representatives of nonprofit groups that take advantage of displaying banners advertising events on town property say it would be unfortunate if the practice was discontinued.
Selectmen aired a proposal Tuesday that would prohibit banners from being put up at three town sites. Board members were set to review a proposed policy that would govern banner space but Chairman Mary Wright suggested banning banners due to concerns over safety, appearance, advertising for businesses and the use of town secretary Linda Grant’s time. Grant coordinates use at the town sites: Water and Bridge streets; intersection of Farmington Falls Road and High Street; and Philbrick Park in Farmington Falls. A resident also noted that allowing some to hang banners and not others could be a breach of constitutional rights.
Now there is no written policy on the advertising space. The proposed policy would limit advertising banners to non-profit agencies and groups sponsoring events of community interest. Content would have to be non-political and non-religious in nature.
Mike Blanchet, president of Downtown Farmington Business and Professional Association, said his group would most likely be disappointed if the practice was discontinued. They sign up to use banner space about six times a year to advertise community events including Moonlight Madness in late July, sleigh rides and welcoming bicyclists riding in the Trek Across Maine.
Blanchet said it was a “great low cost and effective way to get the association’s message out” to the people. The organization has its plastic banners made by a Farmington soda company, which doesn’t charge but does get the free advertising.
Other events advertised in the space include a tractor festival, Farmington Fair, and Farmington-Wilton Chamber of Commerce’s winter festival.
“It has been a very popular thing,” Blanchet said, “so I can understand how it takes a lot of Linda Grant’s time.”
“I think it would be unfortunate if the practice was discontinued,” said Richard Dorian, executive director of Life Enrichment Advancing People. The agency provides community supports for people with developmental disabilities.
The agency has always looked at hanging banners on town property as another way to inform the community about upcoming events.
“It’s been very helpful to us,” he said. Dorian said he realized there are a few groups that might not take down the signs in a timely fashion and that weather does tatter the plastic.
There is more work needed in that area, he said. Groups should police themselves, he said.
“I think what’s happening with this … is a few people wreck it for others,” Dorian said. Rather than ban banners, he said, town officials should tell the ones that abuse the banner space that they are suspended from using it for a month or two.
His group advertises its auction and raises about $3,000 annually to help it provide services to people.
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