Controversial Milton sign could bear a new message

By Jessica Bartlett, Boston.com Staff

Milton resident Brian Kelley said hes never liked the blinking LED sign perched on top of the Kennedy Carpet building on Granite Street, the red and yellow lights flickering like a billboard in East Milton Square.

A lot of my neighbors dont like it, either, Kelley said in a phone interview. I just think it looks bad. I dont think it enhances the business or enhances the town.

The sign has been unpopular since its installation in 2008 and was even moved to another side of the building in 2011 to accommodate upset neighbors.

Amid discussions of the buildings future, Kelley is hopeful the sign will be taken down. Yet despite unpopular opinions, the message board isnt likely to be removed in the near future.

Milton selectmen have been reviewing the sign and a proposed lease agreement for the building since December.

At a December selectmens meeting, Jay Kennedy, building owner and owner of Kennedy Carpet Sales, said he was hoping to lease the building and move his 35-year-old business to another site.

Its a tough spot, he said to selectmen. I cant tell you how many times people have driven to my warehouse in Weymouth and say its easier to come here.

Despite Kennedy's investing over $1 million in the building, tenants have been hard to come by. Sleepys, The Mattress Professionals, has made the first legitimate offer for the lease in nearly two years, town officials said, and the company is mainly interested in the sign.

While it is not the Town or the Board of Selectmen's responsibility or obligation to be concerned with the financial well being of a private citizen, we are all caring human beings and certainly do not want to add to Mr. Kennedy's financial woes, said Selectman Tom Hurley in a group email to concerned residents. It is my feeling that at this point denying the LED sign would result in the deal with Sleepy's falling through. It comes down to what is worse, the LED sign or a vacant or foreclosed building?

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Controversial Milton sign could bear a new message