PARIS — Selectmen will fine businesses $25 for illegal signs in an effort to crack down on violators skirting town rules. 

On Monday night, selectmen unanimously agreed to the fine but said business owners can recoup the expense if they bring their signs up to code. 

Town Manager Amy Bernard told selectmen that several businesses are in violation of the ordinance, which regulates the size and content of signs.

Bernard said businesses have up signs without filing an application or paying the $10 fee. She recommended the fines so business owners are aware of the law. 

She suggested imposing the minimal fee of $5. 

“It makes a statement, you need to follow the ordinances in town. I don’t want to create a hardship for businesses,” Bernard said.

The issue came to light following violations Code Enforcement Officer Fred Collins found with signs for LA Luxury Limo, Perfect Touch and Harris Bros. Rubbish Removal. Collins said the businesses are owned by Joshua Tice.

According to Collins, Tice erected the signs without filing an application with the town. An application for the businesses is scheduled to be considered by the Planning Board on Tuesday night. 

Collins said he first spoke to Tice in late June, when he obtained a sign application, and told Tice he couldn’t hang a sign until he got approval. However the sign was apparently hung beforehand.

“I understand construction companies get busy this time of year, but they can’t just jump around,” Collins said in an interview Monday morning. 

Collins said three to five other businesses are also in violation. The problem, he said, is it’s unfair to businesses who go through the proper channels. 

Collins said he’d rather see the businesses be told to fix their signs rather than them being fined.

“People have to realize you can’t put up signs just because they want to. Like them or not, we have ordinances,”  he said.

All signs have to be approved by the Planning Board before they can be installed. According to Collins, signs on a building can be 32 square feet, or 100 square feet if free standing. Fines range from $5 to $500. 

Planning Board member Mike Risica said there has been a trend of approving signs after the fact without reprimanding violators. 

“I don’t think people take it seriously,” Risica said.

Businesses found to be in violation will be assessed a fine and given 30 days to correct the issue.

“I would like to see them be able to recover that money if they follow the process, because we haven’t been consistent,” Selectmen Robert Wessels said.