Selectman fined for Wong sign in Saugus

SAUGUS – Selectman Paul Allan has been fined almost $4,000 – and counting – for violating the town’s bylaw regulating political signs, but he claims he has done nothing illegal.Allan has a 4-by-6-foot sign for state Rep. Donald Wong as well as two smaller signs displayed outside his house at 80 Winter St. According to John Cottam, a building code enforcement official for the town charged with ensuring that political signs comply with zoning bylaws, Allan committed two violations.Article 7 Sec. 7.3 of the bylaws explains that there cannot be “more than one sign per election contest, per lot” and “signs shall not exceed 3 feet by 2 feet, or a total of 6 square feet.”In response, Allan maintained that there was no wrongdoing because the large sign is affixed to a registered trailer.”There was no bylaw broken,” said Allan, adding that the sign was cleared with Building Inspector Fred Varone. “Why should I have to pay if I haven’t done anything wrong?”Varone could not be reached for comment.Town Counsel John Vasapolli sided with Cottam, saying that Allan “tried to circumvent the bylaw” by using a trailer as justification for oversized signage.”What structure it’s on doesn’t make any difference,” said Vasapolli. “It’s not a bumper sticker on a motor vehicle.”Cottam fined Allan $50 on Oct. 7 for a first offense on two violations. When Allan refused to comply with the bylaw, the penalties began to snowball over the next 10 days, increasing to $400 for the fourth offense on Oct. 17. Cottam said Allan will continue to be charged $400 each day he keeps the signs up. As of Thursday, Allan owed the town $3,950.”If it’s the bylaw, it’s the bylaw,” said Cottam.Wong, who is being challenged by Christopher Finn for the 9th Essex District seat, said he does not want his supporters to do anything unlawful for the good of his campaign.”I appreciate his support,” Wong said of Allan. “But if there is a violation, I prefer he take it down.”Cottam claimed that after the fourth fine, Allan abused his power as a selectman, resulting in Cottam’s being relieved of his sign-bylaw responsibilities by Varone.”Paul Allan took a few visits to Town Hall thinking he was going to get special treatment,” Cottam said.Allan denied using his position to get Cottam reassigned.