MONTAGUE - Barber Sheldon Handrahan may have to dream up new slogans for his sandwich board on a daily basis.
Maybe a "full" haircut on Monday, the "half a head" special Tuesday, and the "tidy trim" on Wednesday.
"I think someone out there has too much time on their hands,'' said the stylist who operates Sheldon's Barber Shop in the Down East Mall in reference to the complaint made to town hall.
Handrahan, along with other businesses using sandwich boards, have been told to cease and desist according to a town bylaw. Sandwich boards are only for special promotions or special sales and can't simply reflect the name of a business.
"It's absolutely ridiculous,'' says Kate Kenny who operates Kate's CafÉ. "Elected officials have been in for breakfast and I told them of the situation and they weren't even aware of it."
The businesses have been advised, through letters from town administrative officer Andy Daggett, that they must comply by May 14.
That means remove the signs, situated on a grassy section between the parking lot of the mall and the Main Street, unless they change daily to feature promotions or sales.
Jeff King of Impact Video and Games is thinking of dreaming up new slogans so he can find the bylaw loophole.
"I know when I don't have my sign out, no one comes in," he says.
The sandwich boards have been in use in front of the mall for the past number of years without problem.
The town apparently received a complaint that they were unsightly and that kicked the letters into action.
Mayor Richard Collins could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Sir Isaac's Pub has a sandwich board on the south side of town but owner Anne Dewar says she hasn't been challenged "yet".
And just up the street is the Nearly New Shop that sells used clothing and donates proceeds to the local hospital. A member said the shop has yet to be notified about its sandwich board that says Open.
