City fines resident who projected Trump sign on city water tower

A city in Massachusetts has sent a cease-and-desist letter to a property owner who projected a “Trump 2024” sign on the side of a city water tower.

Officials said the city of Hanson does not endorse candidates or allow political signs to be posted on municipal property.

Hanson City Manager Lisa Green said the city first became aware on Oct. 11 that a resident was projecting the image of a political sign supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from his property onto the Hanson city water tower. Officials declined to identify the person.

“This leads the public to believe that this activity is being sanctioned or condoned by the city,” Green said in a statement Saturday.

The city said it is fining people $100 per day until the activity is stopped. Those fines have increased, city officials said.

Highway Department workers have installed a spotlight that illuminates the tower, making it harder to see the projection at night. Officials said the resident’s actions could cost significant taxpayer dollars, including legal fees, overtime to pay workers who turn the spotlight on and off every day and possibly the need to rent or purchase more powerful lighting equipment.

The $100 per day fine likely won’t cover those costs, officials said.