A Hanson resident has not projected a ‘Trump 2024’ brand on a water tower in practically two weeks, however city officers are persevering with to shine spotlights, discovering themselves in a “stalemate.”
The resident acquired a cease-and-desist letter from the city’s zoning enforcement officer on Oct. 12 and has not displayed the picture since. The resident additionally “declined to agree in writing” that the emblem won’t ever return up once more,” the Choose Board mentioned in a launch after assembly in govt session to debate the problem Tuesday night time.
“This has locked the Town into an unfortunate stalemate, and to avoid an on-again, off-again cycle, the Select Board has decided to leave measures in place to dim the projection until further notice,” the board mentioned in a press release.
Officers have reiterated that they don’t “endorse any political candidate, party or platform in any election.” City bylaws additionally “prohibit the display of political symbols or signage on government property.”
As an alternative of explicitly describing the picture as a “Trump 2024” brand, officers are calling it a “political sign” with out providing any additional particulars.
City Administrator Lisa Inexperienced condemned the resident’s actions in a launch earlier this month, saying the projection might “cost a significant amount of taxpayer dollars” with officers utilizing spotlights to dim the emblem on the water tower.
The Choose Board highlighted how the “deeply unfortunate and unnecessary situation” has prompted “at least one threat” despatched in a voicemail towards a city official and a “number of inappropriate and vulgar phone calls and email messages to Town employees who are just doing their jobs.”
“While it is believed that these messages do not originate locally, they are nonetheless concerning,” the Choose Board mentioned in its assertion. “The Town has informed and is cooperating with the appropriate law enforcement authorities in this matter.”
The cease-and-desist order that the city issued the resident carries the “maximum fine of $100 per day” till the emblem is now not seen, Inexperienced mentioned earlier this month. The advantageous, nonetheless, will “likely not cover” bills that the city is placing into addressing the scenario, she famous.
“This individual’s actions have the potential to cost a significant amount of taxpayer dollars,” she mentioned, “including attorney fees, overtime to pay Highway Department workers to turn the spotlight on and off each day, and the potential for having to rent or purchase stronger lighting equipment.”
Trump supporters held a stand-out within the South Shore city on Sunday to point out respect to the resident who displayed the picture.
