Town Manager Grady Miller told the Town Council on Oct. 24, he believes staff has worked out a solution to the questions regarding the legality of lost pet signs posted in the community by rescue organizations.

Earlier this summer the town stopped the groups from posting the signs on posts for stop signs, street signs, poles and other town-owned property. Town code enforcement and public works staff reported that placing signs on these posts was in violation of state statute.

While the signs were effective in helping to locate lost pets in a timely manner, town staff asked that they be removed and some other accommodation be reached.

Miller said he met with rescue group representatives in an effort to work out a satisfactory solution. He noted that such temporary signs would be legal when placed on private property or right-of-way similar to real estate or political signs, as long as they were not deemed a safety concern in the right-of-way.

Town staff helped develop a prototype sign with a wire stand similar to may political signs, and provided the rescue group with materials to make some of the signs. They are made to allow easy change of a flyer for different lost pets. They are also easy to move as the group said is important when a lost pet is on the move from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Staff also provided a map outlining locations for placing the signs as well as printed guidelines for the use of temporary signs in accordance with town regulations.

“I feel strongly we have arrived at a resolution for this issue,” Miller told the council.

He said the next step will be for staff to begin work on updating the sign ordinance once again to stay current with the latest court decisions.