LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Planning Board looks to reword the town's sign bylaws after a recent contentious tussle over a business sign because of the way the bylaw could be interpreted.

 

Chair Courtney Dondi addressed the room beforehand, asking the attendees in the room to stay respectful.

 

"I know that our town is experiencing some tension around certain bylaw discussions, change, uncertainty, and complex zoning language can understandably cause frustration. This board does not create conflict. We manage processes," she said. "One of our responsibilities is to ensure that existing and proposed bylaws are revered, be reviewed thoughtfully, legally and transparently, which all take time. 

 

"We serve the entire town, not one group over another. Tonight, we will follow our agenda and maintain order so that every voice has the opportunity to be heard."

 

Planner Joe Trybus later expanded on her comments to explain the board doesn't make the rules.

 

"People always think it's the town and I just want to make clear to everybody that we do not make rules, we do not do anything like that," he said. "You come in, you have a suggestion, we talk about it. If this board agrees on doing something like that, we will write a bylaw to bring to the annual town meeting so everybody in this town can vote on it."

 

Inspired Creations owner Paula Messana said during public comment how she was told to take down a flutter flag because it was not allowed by the town bylaw.