Maine § 13090-D. - Historical marker program

§ 13090-D.. Historical marker program

1.  Historical markers.  The Director of the Office of Tourism may erect historical markers or signs on any highway. No more than 10 historical markers may be erected in one year. Markers that would interfere with reasonable use of highways may not be erected.

2.  Review council.  The Director of the Office of Tourism shall consult with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the Department of Transportation on the historical marker program. Before erecting any marker, the director shall secure the Maine Historic Preservation Commission's approval of the marker, the marker's location and the marker's wording. The Maine Historic Preservation Commission shall obtain, or cause to be obtained, as needed, information on the event to be commemorated and on the appropriate location for the marker, including consulting historians and holding public hearings.

3.  Municipal permission.  Municipal officers may permit the erection of monuments, tablets and markers by individuals or societies on public highways or other public grounds, in places and of a character as may be approved by the municipal officers, to indicate the occurrence of historic events and matters of public interest, as long as the markers do not interfere with reasonable use of the highways or other public places.

4.  Cooperative agreements.  The Maine Historic Preservation Commission may enter into cooperative agreements with any municipality or historical society to erect a historical marker on any highway. The agreement must provide for reasonable sharing of the initial expense and for the municipality or society to maintain and care for the marker.

5.  Damages.  If a person's property is damaged by the erection of a monument, tablet or marker, that person may apply to the municipal officers within 6 months after the erection to assess and recover damages.

6.  Change of location.  A person whose rights or interests are affected by the location of a monument, tablet or marker may, within 60 days after the approval of the municipal officers, petition the municipal officers for a change of location and, after notice to parties and hearing, the municipal officers may alter or revoke approval to use the location.

7.  Petition to court.  If the municipal officers neglect or refuse after 30 days to decide upon any petition addressed to them or if a party whose interests are affected by the decision is dissatisfied with the decision, the dissatisfied petitioner or party may apply to the Superior Court for relief within 60 days of the decision.

8.  Return; record; fees.  The municipal officers shall, within 30 days, decide upon every petition presented to them and upon every location approved under this section, and shall cause this information to be recorded by the town clerk. The fees of the municipal officers and town clerk must be paid by the petitioner.