Town To Plaza Owner: Take Down Signs

The Town of Framingham wants the owner of the Mt Wayte Plaza to take down his signs, that advertises none of the businesses in the plaza.

The plaza is completely empty except for Anthony Maenzo’s barber shop, which doesn’t even have a spot on the sign.

Monday night, the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3-0 to uphold the ruling of Framingham Building Commissioner Michael Tusino, who ordered the signs to come down.

The owner of the plaza Sam Adams has fenced in the plaza but has yet to follow through with a proposed $6 million re-development project for the plaza.

During the summer, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a 6-month extension on project, with conditions the owner submit marketing plan and clean up site within 3 months.

Adams did not appear at the Framingham meeting. Instead his attorney James Vevone argued the signs are protected under the state’s zoning act.

Town Meeting members spoke at the public hearing about the lack of progress by Adams on his plan first brought to the town in 2013.

“He’s not followed through on anything,” said Town Meeting member Ken High.

Town Meeting member Betty Muto said the sign, which doesn’t advertise any business that is actually open in the plaza, contributes to the blight at the intersection of Franklin and Mount Wayte.

Vevone argued the sign has stood there for decades and does advertise existing businesses.

Town Meeting members suggested he drive down the street and see that it doesn’t.