Politics & Government

Signs of New Times in Fair Haven

Borough announcement sign and centennial banners need to be replaced.

By Elaine Van Develde

It's a sign of a new era in Fair Haven — or a signage throwback to olden days, depending.

Officials are putting together an advisory committee and planning to ask for input from the borough's Historical Association as they weigh options for a new sign in front of Borough Hall.

The manually lettered sign board that has sat there for some time is at the end of its useful, tattered life and they're thinking there's a better, more aesthetic way to keep residents informed of meetings and borough activities.

"I'm not necessarily recommending that we go with digital signage, but I will say such signs have come a long way," Administrator Theresa Casagrande said.

The newer LED signs come with dimming features, more quaint and less intrusive looks. And, Casagrande added, they're easier to program with multiple messages and at a much quicker pace, as opposed to having someone display one message at a time, letter-by-letter by hand.

However, considering Fair Haven's small town, historic look and feel, some spoke out against the lit-up, digital idea.

Casagrande asked for input in the form of a "beautification committee" in making a choices on options to present to council that would best accommodate the signage need, be readable to residents passing by from both directions on River Road and would fit in with the character of the town.

Council members Susan Sorensen and Eric Jaeger offered to serve on the advisory committee with a request going out to historians.

In addition to the sign replacement, Casagrande said it was time to take down the centennial banners from the light poles in town and decide with what type of banners they should be replaced.

There are 60 of them which Casagrande said the borough could possibly sell to those who would like them for "time and memorium" at $30 each, which is what the borough paid for them.

Takers? "It's an idea," she said. "Can't hurt to float it."





Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here