by Guy Page
A North Hero farm family has been warned that their political signs violate town building codes and require a building permit.
As shown above, the signs are for Republican candidates, including Leland and Michael Morgan running for the Vermont House of Representatives. Also present is a GET REAL (a Republican policy platform) sign, and a sign for GOP Senate candidate Pat Brennan.
Brennan, a former Malletts Bay grocery store owner, is seeking the Colchester – Grand Isle Senate Seat against Andy Julow, the Democrat who was appointed to fill the seat when longtime Colchester grocery store owner Dick Mazza retired this spring. Mazza died several weeks later without endorsing any successor. Julow is married to North Hero Town Clerk Corinn Julow.
The Bullis Family Farm is a 4th generation dairy farm in Grand Isle also known as, Savage View Farm. The farm operation began in 1927 and has grown to be one of the Champlain Islands’ largest businesses, accordingto a 2016 release announcing it had received the Business of the Year Award from a local economic development organization. As of 2022, the farm milked about 700 cows. Dwight Bullis currently manages the farm with his two sons.
Bullis received a letter on August 14 from Town of North Hero Zoning Administrator Danielle Turin that reads:
“Please be advised that the temporary signs in stalled on your property at U.S. Route 2 in North Hero are in violation of the town’s bylaws.” The letter then quotes several exemptions (see copy below), and continues in bold face type: “Since there are more than two (2) signs posted on your property a building permit is required.” Turin advises that the application fee is $25, plus a 3% charge for handling credit card payments.
“We were just appalled at this,” Sara Bullis, wife Ryan Bullis said. “It was disappointing to be told what to do on our own property.”
“It was a violation of our constitutional rights,” Bullis said. “It’s almost like a trickle effect of what’s happening in the big cities.”
Most election years, many Vermont farm properties along highways are dotted with political signs. This is the first time Vermont Daily Chronicle staff can recall an official municipal complaint about political signs requiring a building permit. Accordingly, VDC emailed the following inquiry to Turin: “Have similar reminders been sent to any other property owners? How many complaints were received about the signs? I’ve heard just one. Also, was Town Clerk Julow involved in any part of this process?”
The email response said Turin doesn’t work again until Wednesday. VDC will publish her response when received.
Whether the U.S. Supreme Court’s 9-0 decision in Reed Vs. Town of Gilbert, Arizona supporting free speech rights over local government signage restrictions applies in this situation is unclear.
