Town Meeting Voters Approve Ban on Billboards

Reading town officials were looking for a sign from Town Meeting voters on what they should do about billboards in town. On Tuesday night, they got just that.

Article 12 was the most debated item during the first night of Subsequent Town Meeting inside the Reading Memorial High School Fine Arts Center. Following 30-45 minutes of discussion, the article passed by an 84-36 count, meaning billboards are now banned in the town of Reading. A two-thirds majority was needed.

Harry Simmons of Precinct 4 was among the residents to speak in favor of the billboard ban. Simmons said he didn’t believe that the town making money off of potential billboard installations was worth the impact they would have on the town.

“There are other revenue sources, but not this one,” he said. “I am really against (billboards). This is not the flavor of the town that I want. A lot of people in this town feel the same way. I’m going to vote to eliminate this.”

Not everyone spoke in favor of Article 12, however. Finance Committee member Barry Berman stepped to the microphone not to represent the committee, but instead in his capacity as Town Meeting voter.

“Things change,” said Berman. “I think we’re all smart enough to make decisions as they come up. We may very well never vote for another billboard in town. But I would like to have the opportunity to have that chance to weigh in on it.”

In addition to banning billboards, the approval of the article also set a definition for what an animated sign, electronic sign and off-premises sign is in the town.

Following the vote on Article 13, a motion to adjourn was passed at around 11 p.m. The final three items, including a potential moratorium on medical marijuana, will be addressed during part two of Town Meeting on Thursday night.

Do you think voters made the right decision in banning billboards? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.