An internally illuminated sign at the East End Fire Company has the potential to upend a long-standing ordinance in Tamaqua.

The fire company has installed an internally illuminated sign on its building, which is against the town’s ordinance which prohibits that style of sign in the historic district, where the fire company is located.

Although the HARC review board denied the request for the sign earlier this year, fire company member Tom McCarroll petitioned council to overturn the ruling and allow the sign. McCarroll pointed out several other signs that are located in the downtown area, although not within the historic district.

He also stated that the sign is used to promote community activities and spread helpful information to residents. It was noted that the sign was purchased by the fire company before any permits or applications were made.

Although Councilman Tom Cara made a motion to allow the fire company to display the sign, during the subsequent discussion, borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt pointed out that the ordinance in question specifically prohibits this type of sign, and does not allow for council to extend a waiver.

“Approving this motion would be in violation of our own ordinance,” he said.

Councilman Brian Connely said that while he understands where the fire company is coming from, the borough has previously turned down two other fire companies’ requests for similar signs, as well as other businesses and organizations.

“They had to find another way to make the sign work,” he said. “We’ve turned down so many other people because of this, and we’ve had issues over things like the color of a fence,” he said, referring to other items covered in the historic district ordinance. “Be prepared for the floodgates to open.”

Council President David Mace said that when the ordinance was established, signs like the one in question were not economically feasible options for businesses, but recent technological developments have made them commonplace.

He did allow that maybe the ordinance can be reviewed and possibly amended. The motion to approve the sign was tabled and an ad hoc committee to review the ordinance was appointed.

Council did issue certificates of appropriateness for 124 E. Broad St., 211 E. Broad St., and 209 W. Broad St.