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Signs Here, There and Everywhere – It Must Be Campaign Season

Town ordinance allows political signs on private property only

Go almost anywhere in New City, Nanuet or Clarkstown and it is almost guaranteed you will not have to travel far before you see a political candidate’s sign.  Very often, it is not just one sign in a location but several, often many.  Clarkstown’s Code & Zoning Enforcement Officer Joel Epstein said there is a town regulation for signs and the political candidates are notified.

“We send letters out to the candidates before the election to tell them the rules,” said Epstein, noting that no signs – political or other types - can be put in the public right of way.

The August letter signed by Town Building Inspector Peter Beary advised the candidates where signs could and could not be placed.

The Town of Clarkstown’s Littering & Posting Ordinance, Chapter 173 of the Town Code, prohibits the posting of any and all signs in the public Right of Way. This long standing statute has seen enhanced attention and enforcement over the past several years in a stepped up effort to reduce visual blight, improve traffic safety and visibility and enhance the Town’s general aesthetics.

Please be aware of the following in order to comply with our statute: 

Postings of any kind must be on private property with the property owner’s permission. If you do not have private property owner permission, the sign cannot be posted. If you have the owner’s permission, the sign must be on their property, not in the public right of way in front of their house or business.

Despite the distribution of information, Epstein said, “A lot of them have called asking where their signs are. We would rather have them collect their illegal signs instead of us.”

The proliferation of political signs keeps the town’s zoning, building and highway department workers busy as they remove any that are posted illegally.  Popular locations include the state highways: Route 59, 9W, 303 and 304 and the medians of those roadways.

“That’s all state property,” said Epstein. “You can’t put a sign there.”

It is an ongoing process. 

“We try to clean the main roads,” Epstein said “We like to keep Clarkstown looking good and some of the candidates don’t comply.”

Epstein noted the town prohibits any signs in the public right of way because they can be visual blight and present a traffic hazard by blocking drivers’ line of sight, blowing into a drainage basin or winding up in the roadway. Candidates can post signs on private residential or business property as long as they have the owner’s permission.

Three methods of enforcing the ordinance exist. Epstein said the signs can be picked up the same as roadside litter; the town can take enforcement action in Justice Court or the violator can be required to pay the cost of removing the sign. In most cases, he said the town clears the signs or the candidates remove after the election. 

 

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Kathleen May 21, 2013 at 08:55 am
CANDLE Night at the Rockland Boulders Game Join CANDLE for a fun(d)raising game on May 23rd as theRead More Rockland Boulders take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Proceeds from tickets purchased through CANDLE* will support programs that educate & empower youth and reduce substance abuse and violence in Rockland County and beyond.
Heywood Jablohme May 21, 2013 at 02:48 pm
I agree with most of your points, but surely you are not implying that teachers are expected toRead More produce funding to correct school roofs, right? I think you got a bit off topic here, but I agree that our educational infrastructure is in disrepair and is in desperate need of rehabilitation. Maybe if our teacher's unions allowed a little more leeway we could allocate funding a little more appropriately and fund the important things instead of overpaying paying dinosaur teachers who lost interest a long time ago and fight any and all forms of teacher benchmarking.
WGMom May 20, 2013 at 09:10 am
It's entirely true that every professional has out-of-pocket expenses. But as someone who worked asRead More a corporate trainer, I can guarantee you I NEVER had to pay out of pocket expenses for supplies to teach classes. Every piece of paper, supply, and even snacks for the participants were fully covered expenses. If I had to spend out of pocket money to procure supplies, I could submit for a reimbursement, and receive it, no questions asked. I am now in school to become a high school teacher and I can see the stark difference in how the education of folks in a corporate environment is incredibly different, and privileged, than the public school environment. I've sat through numerous classes in the Clarkstown and Ramapo districts, doing observations required for my education certification, and while Clarkstown certainly benefits from certain advantages, the shabbiness of being a public school is still there. Furniture, such as teacher desks, that looks like it was purchased in a garage sale 30 years ago... faculty bathrooms that are dark and dingy, nearly crumbling, and sorely in need of updating. Etc. The public expects teachers to have professional training, act professionally, but they lack sometimes basic resources and are expected to function in an environment that feels more like a dungeon than an institution of learning. The citizens of Clarkstown, if they could get a tour of some of the facilities they are expecting children to learn in, and teachers to teach in, would be very surprised. We do supply some great technology, but then we put it in classrooms with windows that won't stay closed when it's windy, as one example. I spent most of my time in South, which is the best of the bunch, facilities-wise. Clarkstown North is a mess, Woodglen's woods are littered with fallen trees no one's cleaned up after Sandy, Laurel Plains had to be shuttered thanks to that whole foul stench... the district is in a situation where there are major capital improvements that are going to be needed. Buildings are aging, and it seems it's only the most basic of upkeep that happens. The district can't even fix the roofs of the buildings without applying for a state grant.
Heywood Jablohme May 18, 2013 at 07:17 am
What professional doesn't spend $500 per year on out of pocket expenses related to their jobs?Read More Staples offering 10% (or 5 in some cases) is hardly an example of the community getting involved. Thankfully, there are other examples of the community and PTA's getting involved and providing needed services. Clarkstown and surrounding areas hardly have substantial unmet needs in their classroom, thankfully.
Truth4all May 16, 2013 at 11:37 am
I guess better late than never. LaCorte is serving his 4th year as Mayor and was Trustee for I thinkRead More 4 years before that. This year is the only time he has brought the idea to the village about participating in this program. He is motivated by the opportunity of getting positive press for his County Executive campaign. The village should have been involved in this program ( as well as the Americorps program) long before this. On a positive note, hopefully the Village will continue this worthwhile partnership for many years to come.
Sunny May 16, 2013 at 03:50 pm
Is there an article on patch about it? I am unable to find except on lohud.com
Green Farmer May 15, 2013 at 08:23 pm
Finally!!
b May 15, 2013 at 07:31 pm
Thank God. It's been a long time coming. Finally someone has paid attention.!!! That man has gotRead More to go.
Watchdog May 16, 2013 at 04:37 pm
George, don't you have enough to do straightening out the affairs of Clarkstown. Overtime in theRead More Police Department is rampant and the Town Attorney is out of control. As Tom Nimick says, we need an outside auditor for that operation since taxpayers were abused with the hiring of a political operative Jay Savino who I understand is singing like a canary. Get on the right side George before the FBI comes a lookin" I hear that the Gromack war chest is the first place they are looking for clues. Do the right thing George or you will get trampled with the rest of them.
Tom Nimick May 15, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Congratulations, George. Now about your other responsibilities as a member of the Town Board withRead More primary oversight over budget and expenditures: Won't you be the one to propose the needed audit of the Office of Town Attorney? You know the problems exist - likely you know more about the problems than I do. It is sad to see you silent in the face of the abuse of patronage. When will we hear your voice on it?
Teacher May 16, 2013 at 07:24 am
The new format is attractive but it is hard to find the comments that go with stories.