By Bethany Bray
Staff Writer
—
A Lansbury Lane resident recently called police after waking up to find several Barry Finegold signs - and some garbage - mischievously left on his lawn overnight. The unwilling supporter is not alone.
Last week, a Buttonwood Drive resident had 23 political signs planted on her lawn in one day.
Residents have seen signs for their favorite candidate moved - and removed - this summer as state races heat up among 11 Andover residents.
Debra Silberstein, the only local candidate to file a pre-primary finance report as of Townsman press deadline, has spent more than $2,200 on signs in her run for state senate. The remaining candidates have until Sept. 7 to file pre-primary reports detailing all money taken in and spent on their campaign, said Jason Tait, spokesman for the office of campaign and political finance.
As the Sept. 14 primary looms, signs for U.S. Congress, state senate and state representative candidates have cropped up along most busy roads in Andover. Meanwhile, police, public works and MassHighway workers have been busy removing political signs from public property, including signs strapped to light poles, on roadway medians and along highway on- and off-ramps.
"We do get some calls about it. We don't get too many reports of (signs) being stolen. They are removed if they're in places they're not supposed to be ... They can go on private property with the owner's permission, and that's really all," said Lt. Commander James Hashem. "If we confiscate a sign, it's held at the police station, but we throw them away after a short period of time."
Many enthusiastic supporters have had signs removed from the grass strip between the curb and sidewalk because it is town property, according to selectmen.
Town Clerk Larry Murphy said letters detailing regulations for political signs and campaigning were sent Aug. 12 to every candidate on the ballot.
When his office receives complaints of improperly placed signs, it forwards the message to Building Inspector Kaija Gilmore, who is the zoning code enforcement officer, said Murphy.
In extreme cases, people caught damaging or moving signs on private property could be charged with trespassing or larceny, said Hashem.
Andover rules for political signs
Must be on private property
Must be no bigger than six square feet
Must be placed no higher than three feet above the ground
Must be stationary and not illuminated
Must be in place for no more than 30 days
Cannot be placed on the grass strip between the curb and sidewalk, on utility poles, lamp posts, traffic signs, traffic islands or highway on and off ramps
On primary and election day, signs must be kept 150 feet away from the polling place entrance
Source: Town Clerk Larry Murphy
