The Nantucket Sign Advisory Committee on Oct. 21 approved a set of neighborhood signs in the Tom Nevers area, contingent on removing signage attached to residential gates and mounting the approved blades on single, independent posts painted gray.

Committee members said the applications were acceptable for appearance but asked that the signs not be attached to private gates. "These signs have been up there for probably 15 years," said Bert, a neighborhood association representative, describing past problems with hunting parties and contractors parking along roads. "We painted all the post gray, like you requested, and we've given you a map." The committee’s motion required removal of signs from gates and asked that the various blades be combined onto a single post rather than multiple posts.

The action responds to concerns that gate-mounted signs are undermining neighborhood gate architecture. "I'd rather see that rather than these get continued to get sort of littered with signage," said Mark Catone, who also identified himself as a neighborhood resident during the discussion. Several members recommended that the signs be mounted on separate posts and be painted to match town aesthetics; Kevin Koester said a combined single post would be cleaner.

The committee recorded that the posts had been reduced in height and stained a gray color to soften appearance; members asked that the single-post solution use a gray finish to match other street signs on the island. The committee also amended the approval to add a note to the file instructing that future street signage follow committee standards and be constructed of painted wood rather than metal with vinyl lettering.

Motion and vote: The committee adopted a motion to approve the Tom Nevers sign applications "as submitted with the removal of signage from all gates associated with the neighborhood; those signs should be mounted to a single post and merged into one sign." Ben Norman recused himself from the vote. Recorded votes were: Kevin Koester — yes; Paul Wolf — yes; Mark Catone — yes; Chris Young — yes; Ben Norman — recused. Outcome: approved with conditions and an explicit amendment about future signs being painted wood.

Why this matters: The Tom Nevers items were presented as part of a master sign plan; the committee said it lacked authority to rule on the locations or quantities of regulatory signs such as speed limits but can review aesthetics. The added file note is intended to reduce precedent-setting metal signage in other neighborhoods.

Committee speakers and roles in this item included Bert (neighborhood association representative), Mark Catone (committee member/resident), Kevin Koester (committee member), Paul Wolf (committee member), Ben Norman (committee member), and Chris Young (committee chair).