Trumbull delays vote to replace town hall sign struck by car
TRUMBULL — Security concerns and questions about potential ongoing costs delayed a town council vote on replacing the message sign at town hall Monday. The sign was severely damaged in 2019 when it was struck by a car.
The sign, located on Main Street and Quality Street, was originally made of brick and glass but would have been replaced with a modern electronic sign. The new sign has an estimated $25,000 price tag.
Dimitri Paris, the superintendent for the Parks Department said security concerns about the cellular connection partly explained why the council decided to postpone the vote.
“We’re trying to ascertain as to whether or not that has reasonable security parameters built within it. And that’s taking a little bit of time to try to figure it out,’ Paris said.
The sign would also be a billboard of sorts, advertising events and broadcasting emergency notices to residents. The town would be able to update the sign but that would require an internet connection.
Council Republican Tony Scinto previously expressed reservations about using wireless connectivity due to poor signal strength. Both he and fellow Republican Lori Rosasco-Schwartz abstained from last week’s finance committee vote.
Rosasco-Schwartz asked on Monday if the sign would have additional costs.
“Is there actual software licensing that’s going to be an ongoing subscription?” she asked.
Paris said he did not know of any additional costs after the initial software purchase. Software updates would be free, and there is no maintenance agreement, he said.
The council will discuss the sign again during its Nov. 4 meeting.