Photo: Emma Friedman/WBZ NewsRadio
HANSON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Town of Hanson has ordered a resident to stop projecting a Trump 2024 sign onto a municipal water tower, town officials announced.
Town Administrator Lisa Green said in a statement Saturday that the projection onto the High Street tower misleads the public into believing it is "sanctioned by or condoned by the Town."
"As a governmental entity, the Town of Hanson does not endorse candidates for any office from any political party, nor does the Town allow political signs to be displayed on municipal property," Green said.
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The statement said that the Town of Hanson "respects the free speech rights of all residents, and the right of all residents to express their political views, but not on Town property or in a manner that makes it appear that the Town of Hanson is endorsing any political candidate."
As of Monday, the town's building inspector has delivered a cease and desist order to the neighbor responsible and is fining them $100 a day until they stop.
In the meantime, Highway Department employments have positioned a spotlight to dim the projection. According to officials, this could cost taxpayers money because of "attorney fees, overtime to pay Highway Department workers to turn the spotlight on and off each day, and the potential for having to rent or purchase stronger lighting equipment."
WBZ NewsRadio asked residents for their opinions on the projection.
"As a town, we really shouldn’t be advocating for one candidate. That is the one benefit we have as citizens of this country," said Trevor.
"It’s freedom of speech, so you can kinda do what you want," said Dan. "Town property or not, they’re not vandalizing it, ‘cause it can come right off. It’s just a projection. I mean, if it’s a nuisance to the taxpayers, then I mean, yeah, get rid of it, but I mean, I don’t know why they’re making such a big deal out of stuff like that."
"I do not think it should be allowed on public property," said one man. "Because it’s something that should be given permission first by the whole community."
"I’m all for it. I can see how some people would be aggravated by it," one woman said.
WBZ's Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.
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