An 11th-hour plea to resurrect the inert “I-Sign” failed to evoke mercy or the promise of money from the town council during Monday’s meeting. Life support was denied and the sign will be removed and stored by the town on behalf of the Downtown Chestertown Association (DCA).
Former DCA President and Maryland Heritage Properties owner Nancy McGuire presented
the council with results of a professional technical evaluation made by Alex Smolens at Atlantek. Smolens wrote that, “it is my professional opinion that the Interactive Sign can be fully operational if properly shaded and with proper software installed.”
The report went on to say that the sign’s weatherproofing, touchscreen and other issues were either intact or could be made operational with new software and all components are replaceable if needed.
McGuire’s sign update included an overview of the Four Winds Co. proposal to install new software at a cost of $3500 and $1548 yearly for the following two years.
In a previous town council meeting, DCA and Kent County Tourism offered to share the cost of the sign renovation with the town for the first year only.
Additionally, because of direct sun glare, a new location for the sign would have to be found if the sign was renovated.
Ward 3 Councilman Sam Shoge said he would not endorse the renovation of the sign because the prevailing use of smart phone apps to provide local information would enjoy greater success with tourists visiting Chestertown.
Ward 4 Councilman Marty Stetson said that renovating the sign and moving it would be “throwing good money after bad,” and felt the town should explore the smartphone app alternatives mentioned by Councilman Shoge.
Mayor Chris Cerino added that he felt that the hardware was outdated and that eventually the town could be left being solely financially responsible.
Ward 2 McGuire argued that the two kinds of systems are not mutually exclusive and that not everyone uses a smartphone to navigate through a town they’re visiting.
“I don’t see why we should take all the money we’ve spent on this sign already and just throw it away by saying we’re not going to do it when we are so close to actually have the sign work,” she said.
Ward 2 Councilwoman Linda Kuiper cautioned that Shoge’s ideas for smartphone apps with tie-ins to the town’s new website have not mentioned costs. Shoge said costs will be explored after the new town marketing committee is formed.
The interactive sign on the corner of Cross and High Streets has been inactive for more than two years. Software issues and direct sun on the screen hampered the sign’s operations and readability until its complete shutdown.
The council voted 4-1 to deny funding to renovate the interactive sign.
Stephan Sonn says
It would be so easy and inexpensive to put an ordinary computer
in a pedestal cabinet in the old book store. Why does everything
modern go sour in Chestertown. Alex could do it as a stand alone
or it could be part of the college network. …Geez!
Steve Payne says
And the downtown wifi internet still doesn’t work half the time.