Public Works staff removed around 22 signs in the middle of the night asking people to slow down on George and Canterbury Streets.
UPDATE: The City of Woodstock is going to reimburse Thomas Ryerson for the signs they removed from George and Canterbury Street.
Ryerson provided Heart FM with a letter from the Acting Director of Public Works for the City and CEO David Creery, that reads as follows:
In response to your email dated June 8, 2021, it is the standard practice of the City of Woodstock to remove unauthorized signs from the City’s road allowance. Typically signs collected by the Public Works department remain at the works yard for several days allowing time for the owner to pick them up if requested. In this case, Public Works staff were involved in removing numerous signs from across the City. Due to the volume of signs collected, the usual waiting period was dispensed with and the signs destroyed.
As result of this deviation from standard practice, the City of Woodstock will reimburse you the $173.18 for the twenty-five (25) signs. However, it will continue to be the municipality’s practice to remove unauthorized signs from the road allowance. In the future, there will be no reimbursement for removed signs.
--- (Original Article)
A Woodstock man is looking for the City to reimburse him after they removed several signs from Canterbury and George Street.
Thomas Ryerson made the signs and says he got permission from his neighbours to post them on properties.
"I have been very public about my neighbourhood fight to stop speeding on both George and Canterbury Streets, and it was obvious from the signs that this was a concerted neighbourhood effort to promote safety, and was endorsed by all the folks who had signs on their lawns. Permission was given to me by all parties."
The signs were removed by Woodstock City Public Works staff in the middle of the night. Ryerson filed a police report, thinking at first the signs were stolen. It wasn't until a neighbour showed him security footage of the City trucks removing the signs. Heart FM, followed up with the City on the matter and they confirmed, Public Works staff did remove the signs because they do fall in line with City by-laws when it comes to erecting signs, even on your own property. The signs were taken in the middle of the night around 1:00 am. Election signs, however are exempt from this by-law.
Ryerson claims the City did not the follow their own by-laws, as they did not go through by-law enforcement and no attempt was made to talk the owner of the signs before they were removed. He has filed a complaint with the City and is asking to be reimbursed for the custom signs he purchased at a cost of around $250.00.
The signs read the following:
"The speed limit is 50 KPH, Please Respect Our Community."
"Woodstock Police put out a press release, stating they were investigating the theft of the signs. They have since put out another release stating the following:
The Woodstock Police Service and City of Woodstock Bylaw office has received a number of reports of stolen signs and concerns about signs on residential properties.
Police would like to notify the public that according to City of Woodstock Bylaws under the Property Maintenance Chapter 0754 – Signs and Other Advertising Devices, article 3 states that "no person shall erect, display, alter or cause to be erected, displayed or altered a sign within the City of Woodstock except in accordance with this chapter."
Signs shall not obstruct any City signs and require a permit to be displayed. City of Woodstock bylaws indicate that the City, at the owner’s expense, can remove signs if it is on city property or the boulevard. For reference, approximately 33 feet from the center of the road on either side is considered city property.
If you wish to erect a sign, you can contact the City of Woodstock to complete a sign permit application."
The by-law is in place to prevent polluting City streets with signs. Local charities have to apply to the City when they post their signs, promoting fundraisers etc.
We will be following up with Mr. Ryerson in the future, to see if the City will reimburse him for his signs.
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