Tricentennial committee asks planning board to consider temporary banner bylaw for Southborough celebration

The Town of Southborough Tricentennial Committee voted Feb. 11 to request that the planning board consider a temporary amendment to the zoning bylaw to permit official tricentennial banner signage, including placement on utility and light poles.

The committee reviewed draft language to add subsection 16 to section 174-11c of the town zoning bylaw that would: authorize banners on town-owned property, within the public way (including utility/light poles), and on nonresidential sponsor properties; require compliance with existing size and illumination limits referenced in the bylaw; and clarify that banners displayed on town property will be treated as official town speech with town control over content, placement, maintenance and removal. The proposed display period in the draft runs from Aug. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027, with all banners required to be removed by Jan. 31, 2028.

A committee member moved that the tricentennial committee ask the planning board to forward or approve the warrant article advancing the bylaw change—allowing the planning board to propose additional edits. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Committee members emphasized that the change is narrowly written for tricentennial-related banners only, and that sponsor banners on nonresidential property would remain subject to approval processes and, where required, review by other town bodies. The committee also noted the need to secure approval from utility owners before attaching banners to poles.

Next steps: the committee will submit the draft and supporting materials to the planning office for inclusion on the spring warrant and will follow up with utility owners and the Friends group on implementation details.