Durham officials have appointed a former first selectman to enforce the town's sign regulations.
Main Street resident James McLaughlin recently volunteered to serve as assistant zoning enforcement officer, specifically to deal with violations of Durham's sign ordinance, according to Planing and Zoning Commission chairman Dick Eriksen.
McLaughlin's appointment was approved Wednesday night by the commission and comes after a resident reportedly admitted to police that he'd stolen signs along Durham's Main Street because they were in violation of the ordinance.
So far no criminal charges have been filed in the case.
"He will operate, not as a vigilante," Eriksen said of McLaughlin, "but equally, as the regulations exist."
Zoning enforcement officer Geoffrey Colegrove said McLaughlin would work closely with business owners so that they understand the sign regulations and cooperate with the town.
A commission subcommittee is currently reviewing Durham's sign regulations, although it's not clear when any new regulations will be presented for approval.
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