Poll: Too Many LED Signs in Johnston?

It's not the first time that Johnston has been used as an example of what not to do — though it may strike some people as a bit off-target: A town councilwoman in Hopkinton supported a ban on business signs with LED lights "because we don’t want to look like Johnston or Cranston," the Westerly Sun reported recently.

Following Capalbo's suggestion, the Hopkinton Town Council imposed an all-out ban on flashing LED signs.

The Atlantic Cities website picked up the story and knocked Councilwoman Barbara Capalbo, reporting tongue-in-cheek that "motorists could become confused and crash their vehicles," and chiding Capalbo for [apparently] suggesting that rural Hopkinton "could soon become a hellhole of glittering lights" like its northern neighbors.

During a phone interview from , Town Clerk Vince Baccari confirmed that the town doesn't currently have any ordinance preventing the placement of LED signs.

A quick check of the main business district along Atwood and Hartford Avenues found one sign at the across from the and another down the hill at .

And in other areas of town, gas stations post their prices on LED boards, like the one at the Shell station at the corner of Johnston's two main artieries.

What do you think?

Does Johnston really have too many LED signs — or, at least, enough signs to make the town an example?

Or do you think that Hopkinton Councilwoman Barbara Capalbo was off-base with her assessment?

And do you think Johnston should consider restrictions on outdoor LED signs?

Cast your vote in our poll, and post your comments below.