Melrose Council Approves Electronic Billboard Ordinance, Extends Sanitation Contract Two Years

MELROSE — January 16, 2025 — Melrose City Council approves electronic billboard ordinance and extends sanitation contract two years. The council voted unanimously Thursday to adopt Ordinance 01-16-2025 permitting electronic billboards in the city for the first time, requiring applicants to obtain conditional use permits that can impose nighttime shutoff rules for boards facing residences; the community development director said applications from billboard operators, including Lamar Advertising for a west-facing board at Blue Door Storage, are expected immediately. The council also extended its contract with West Central Sanitation through January 31, 2027, with a Consumer Price Index escalator now kicking in after three flat years — capped at 4 percent annually — following remarks from company representative Don Williamson that costs had risen "about 12 or 15 percent in the last three years." Three wage actions were approved: a $6,000 increase to the ambulance coordinator's pay, bringing it to $58,573; a revised streets and parks supervisor salary range topping out at $98,500; and a 4 percent cost-of-living raise on ambulance run pay, all previously budgeted in fiscal year 2025.