I am writing to urge the citizens of Whitefield to vote against an electronic sign proposed to be installed on our scenic Townhouse Road. Article 45 in the Town Warrant, to be voted on at town meeting on Saturday, March 19, asks us to appropriate up to $20,000 for an electronic sign in front of the town office/historical society building or the fire station on Townhouse Road. While I understand that the cost would be fully covered by Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the federal government (ARPA), I strongly question the appropriateness of such a sign.

Whitefield has a well-earned reputation for its rural beauty. Our sweeping views of pasture and hay fields, working farms and the backdrop of the Sheepscot River provide a sense of peace in this hectic world, reminding us of our connection to the natural world. It would be a shame to spoil this with a 24-hour-a-day lighted sign glaring at all passersby and nearby homeowners on the Townhouse Road (or anywhere else in town, for that matter.) It just seems out of character for our town to communicate information in this unattractive way. We have the town of Whitefield website, the Lincoln County News, and our own monthly Whitefield News for getting out the word about important town business.

Surely we can find other more worthy projects for Whitefield that qualify for ARPA funds. I urge all Whitefield citizens to attend town meeting on March 19 and vote against Article 45.

Kit Pfeiffer

Whitefield