Sandwich boards could be signs of the times in the borough

MILFORD — Borough officials are considering easing signage regulations to help out local businesses during hard times. Borough President Matt Osterberg said he’s had requests from merchants to allow sandwich board sidewalk signs and outdoor menu posting at restaurants. He said the relaxation would permit what is already happening. “The signs come out when (Zoning Officer) Duane (Kuhn) leaves work Friday and come in before he comes in Monday,” Osterberg said. Osterberg said he has asked planner Carson Helfrich to provide ordinance language “to make this happen.” The council will meet again later this month, at a date to be announced, to further discuss ordinance changes The borough council has debated sandwich boards in the past and rejected them as being unsafe and unsightly in the historic district which overlays most of the business district. Councilman Ed Raarup warned that changes must be very specific or the council would diminish the last decade’s efforts to enhance Milford’s appearance. Merchant reactions were mixed. Standing inside an empty store Tuesday, one Mill Street merchant said the council has to get over its preoccupation with “pretty,” and allow businesses the same competitive tools that other small town merchants have. Another Broad Street merchant said more signs would be okay for side-street businesses, but didn’t favor visual clutter along the busy street. “More store owners need to go outside and talk to people on the sidewalk. It works better than signs.” “Nobody’s looking to trash the town with signs,” Osterberg said.