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Politics & Government

PHOTOS: Sign Law Means Confiscation in Bel Air

Residents could be fined on a per-sign basis if they are left in the public right-of-way.

A candidate's name. A weekly dinner special. A real estate advertisement. They're all on signs piled behind the town's building.

Since a state law went into effect Oct. 1, for three hours a day on weekends, a town employee has been collecting the signs from public right-of-ways. Director Randy Robertson said the effort will continue each Saturday and Sunday until the problem dies down. 

“We’re picking up only those we determined to be in the public right-of-way,” Robertson said. “We’re picking them up in hopes that people get the hint that we’re not going to leave them out there.”

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On Jan. 1, 2012, per new regulations, officials across the state can fine property owners $25 for each sign taken from the public right-of-way. Robertson hopes losing signs they paid for is enough to discourage residents from disobeying the new law.

"They’re probably wasting their money if they keep sticking them in right-of-ways," he said.

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