NORFOLK - Town regulations for political signs have been revised after two town meetings worth of debate.

Voters at last week's town meeting passed a new bylaw that allows for an unlimited number of signs for candidates for public office and ballot issues. The old bylaw called for a limit of two signs that couldn't be put up more than 30 days before an election.

Under both bylaws, the signs must be removed no later than two days after the election.

The changes, however, won't go into effect for the Dec. 8 special election, when voters face a U.S. Senate primary and two major tax hikes. That is because the state Attorney General has 90 days from the town meeting vote to approve the bylaw change, Town Clerk Gail Bernardo said.

Advisory board members backed the revisions, contending it eliminates restrictions on signs that it believed limited freedom of expression. A resident had sought a bylaw change at town meeting last June that was tabled because of constitutional concerns and ambiguity. The bylaw committee submitted the latest proposal.

The initial petitioner, Walter Byron of Fruit Street, contended existing sign regulations were too restrictive, and argued the window for signs to go up and come down was too short.

Byron had to had to take down his two Barack Obama signs around Labor Day last year or would have faced a fine. He then put them up in October to adhere to the town bylaw.

"It allows more political freedom and freedom of speech," Byron said of the new bylaw.

Bryon's original proposal would have allowed for two signs, for presidential elections, to be put up the day candidates accept their party's nomination for office.

Resident Robert Boucher unsuccessfully motioned for an amendment to the new bylaw to allow for only one sign per candidate per office or ballot issue. Unlimited signage would lead to "front yards being plastered with these things," Boucher said.

"I think an amendment will create more confusion and issues," Town Administrator Jack Hathaway said, noting a planning board race may have three candidates for two seats. "Let's not try to legislate this to death."

Former Selectman James Giebfried pointed out a husband and wife, children or in-laws may be living in the same household and may want to express "different points of view."

Town Counsel George Hall said government can't restrict what signs say but may limit the "time, place and manner" of signs. But he cautioned, "the fewer restrictions, the better."

Besides the Senate race, residents Dec. 8 face Proposition 2 1/2 overrides to raise funds for a $37 million new elementary school, $10 million public safety building, and $200,000 yearly allocation for roadwork. STEPHEN PETERSON covers Norfolk for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.