Bennington adopts policy on displays on public property
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The Select Board in Bennington has adopted a policy on artwork and other displays on public property that was recommended after it approved the painting of a Black Lives Matter street mural this summer.
The Select Board has been reviewing and revising a policy that was recommended by the town counsel and largely based on one in Montpelier, the Bennington Banner reported. The mural was painted on the street in front of the town offices on Aug. 30 amid protests and attempts to disrupt the work.
The policy revisions were centered around how proposed projects are presented to the board for approval and whether a mechanism is needed for proceeding if the person or group could not find a required sponsor on the board, the newspaper reported.
The first step will be a technical review of the proposal by the town manager, said Chairman Donald Campbell this past week.
Town zoning, historic preservation, legal counsel and other officials also would review the plan. Proposals involving displays on roads would also go to town and state public works and highway entities for review.
The board decided not to take up any display proposals until the policy was finalized.