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Billboard Blitz

by Dave Atkins

Editor's Note: I received a copy of the following letter, sent to Edward Farley, Executive Director, Outdoor Advertising Division, MassHighway, by Dedham Selectman Paul Reynolds, related to the T's plans to deploy new billboards...

 

Dear Mr. Farley and the entire MassHighway management team,

On behalf of many alarmed constituents in the Dedham/Westwood area, I respectfully offer strong and resolute opposition to the proposed expansion/scaling of billboards along the Commonwealth's highway system.

While we fully understand and appreciate the severe fiscal crisis the State faces, we please ask you to reconsider plans that would steamroll over local jurisdiction/bylaws and add serious visual blight with increasingly garish, large-scale signage. Our residents will forced to live with these eyesores towering over their neighborhoods everyday, and the overall aesthetic, residential, and commercial real estate values will be seriously impacted in the surrounding areas.

Thank you for your consideration, and for all you do to ensure the maintenance, safety, and beauty of the Commonwealth's highway system.

Sincerely,
Selectman Paul Reynolds

Submitted by Dave Atkins on June 16, 2009 - 9:52am

Comments

Any action from Westwood BOS on this?

Submitted by Joanie M on June 16, 2009 - 11:12am.

I would love to know if the Westwood BOS has had any involvement with the Billboards? I know the Planning Board notified some residents a while back about a meeting regarding the billboards but have heard nothing since. This is a shame. We need money so lets put up a massive ugly billboard. The one in Dedham by the Rt 1 exit is huge! I hope the BOS takes a stand as did the Dedham BOS and oppose this. If anyone has any additional information about this please let the blog readers know.

Thanks.

more info on those billboards

Submitted by Dave Atkins on June 16, 2009 - 10:21pm.

at myDedham.org, Selectman Paul Reynolds posted more information...

MBTA billboards

Submitted by JohnCraine on June 17, 2009 - 6:13am.

Does anyone know where to find information on the actual proposed locations? They are along MBTA right of ways, so does that mean they are going in down by Westwood Station and between East Street rotary and Route 1 exits.?
~

John Craine

50 Blue Hill Drive

Outdoor Advertising Board

Submitted by Concerned Neighbor on July 14, 2009 - 7:58am.

John--I suggest you check out Mass Highway Outdoor Advertising. A search by town for issued permits indicates 122 Allied Drive. Permit was issued to Clear Channel in November 2006 (Dedham). Clear Channel was bought by the private equity company Bain Capital. Mitt Romney was the former CEO and co-founder. Further examination of active permits indicates Westwood has several permits in Everett St. area near railroad tracks. Waging a war against the billboard blitz will be an uphill battle . The courts do not sympathesize with neighbors as shown by the Somerville-Melrose ruling. It's likely that these locations have been targeted for digital billboards.
There's one by the stadium in Foxboro and Canton has designated a spot for one. Just think-- rather than viewing the Blue Hills, we can see an ever changing digital billboard. Let's hope that our Dedham neighbors will join us in this fight.

BOS Tonight - Billboards on Agenda

Submitted by Joanie M on June 22, 2009 - 1:16pm.

It appears the billboards are on the BOS agenda tonight. Hopefully we will find out more tonight!

billboards

Submitted by JohnCraine on June 23, 2009 - 6:13am.

It's amazing how decades of bad economic and management decisions at the MBTA lead to further bad decisions that will affect the quality of life in our town and others. The courts have decided that the T has the legal right to erect the billboards but just because it's legal doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. I drove to Philadelphia this past weekend and saw a number of these LED monstrosities along the way. Man, are they BRIGHT! In fact, they are so bright they are actually a safety hazard because you can't take your eyes off of them. Don't we have enough freakin' light pollution already? Maybe there is an environmental impact or safety angle that can be used to shut these things down.

Dan Grabauskis, I realize that you face big challenges with the T but thumbing your nose at the towns and residents who use your service is DUMB. There is NOTHING about this issue that inures to the benefit of the people of Massachusetts. It is simply another patch on a system that can't seem to stay afloat. I urge you to rethink this plan.
~ 

John Craine

50 Blue Hill Drive

Update from BOS

Submitted by Joanie M on June 23, 2009 - 8:12am.

John,

Did you go to the meeting last night? I was unable to make it and was wondering if anyone went and has an update on the billboard plan. I had emailed the BOS last week off the town website but have heard nothing back. Any update would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Joanie M

legislation to limit billboards

Submitted by Dave Atkins on July 14, 2009 - 8:41am.

see also http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/homepage/x662536711/House-measure-wou...