East Lyme — The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved Wednesday the installation of a new electronic board to display messages about town meetings, road detours, or public service announcements.

The sign will stand near the south end of the front lawn of Town Hall on Pennsylvania Avenue.

But some residents stood in opposition to the proposed electronic sign for safety and aesthetic reasons, with the selectmen receiving a copy of a petition with 89 signatures.

The message board will be in sleep mode from midnight to 5 a.m., except for emergencies, and will dim automatically from dusk to midnight, according to the proposal.

An existing town sign would rest above the electronic message board.

Another sign recognizing the Niantic Rotary Club, which donated the funds for the project, would be below the electronic board.

The Zoning Commission approved the Parks and Recreation Department’s application for the board early last month following a public hearing, according to meeting minutes.

Later in August, residents had submitted to the town a petition that asked the town to place the new sign at “a more appropriate location,” such as near a stop sign or light, for safety reasons, and follow Old Saybrook's and Essex's lead of placing electronic signs at the outskirts of town. 

On Wednesday, James Littlefield said the proposed digital sign would encourage rubber-necking and does not fit the town's aesthetics.

"From a safety standpoint and an aesthetic standpoint, I think it's a poor idea and should be rethought," he said.

Anne Thurlow, who presented the selectmen with a copy of the petition, said she was worried about accidents.

"Honestly, I don't see the difference between reading that [sign] and reading a text message on your cellphone," she said.

In deliberations, the selectmen said electronic signs are often used on roads to post speed limits or closures.

They said this sign would be helpful to post information about meetings, road closures or shelter information during storms.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson said he wanted to clarify that the sign will not be placed on the corner of Smith Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, but near the south end of Town Hall. 

He added that he receives many complaints about sandwich board signs on the town green.

Selectman Marc Salerno, the former chairman of the Zoning Commission, said the sign will have to adhere to zoning regulations and will not have flashing lights or glitter.

"It's definitely not what people envision, and if it ever becomes that it will be a violation of the zoning regulations, and it will be fixed," he said.

Salerno also said zoning regulations allow nonprofits to advertise on electronic signs, if the town ultimately decides to use this sign for that purpose.

But he said electronic signs cannot be used for political or commercial uses.

A proposal for a similar electronic board at the entrance of the driveway of the high school will also come before the Zoning Commission, Nickerson said.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich