SAUGERTIES - Some area business owners are unhappy with the town's sign law and are refusing to comply with regulations banning temporary signs.

Town Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator Alvah Weeks said he issued summons to four businesses on U.S. Route 9W for failing to comply with the sign law section prohibiting businesses from using temporary signs. He said the business owners who received summonses will have to appear in Town Court Tuesday. Weeks added, though, that the majority of businesses who were ordered to comply, did so.

"I actually got a very good response," Weeks said.

The amended sign law, adopted April 16, prohibits businesses from using temporary signs and sets forth design standards and permit requirements. The law also allows businesses to have no more than two signs on any one road the business fronts on and prohibits signs, other than official traffic signs, within the right-of-ways on public streets and state or county highways.

Camillus Sasso, an owner of Valley Spas, said Route 9W is a commercial area and businesses rely on signs for advertising. He added that a petition was signed by a "few hundred" individuals asking the town to change the law.

"I could understand if we were in a residential area, but for stuff like this, it's crazy," Sasso said. He said his business will have to get rid of some of its signage because of the law.

Councilwoman Nancy Campbell said the town met with business owners regarding the law and has been trying to work with them. She said a restriction on temporary signs, such as ones on wheels with changeable letters, has been in the zoning law since 1989 but was never really enforced. Campbell also said the restriction on signs in right-of-ways is a state law.

"We don't want to hurt business," Campbell said. She said the town is allowing businesses to make portions of their permanent, freestanding signs with space for changeable lettering. The town is also allowing businesses to attach banners to their permanent signs, provided they do not take up more than 25 percent of the allowed space, she said. Additionally, she said the town is waiving the permit fees for businesses who want to erect new signs.

Frank Petramale, owner of Saugerties Carpet and Linoleum on Route 9W, said rather than aggravating businesses, the town should be trying to bring new ones in. He also said the town seems to be selectively enforcing the sign law and should be addressing vacant properties that are littered with garbage and debris.

Petramale, who received a summons, said he plans to fight the town law. He said his temporary sign had a political message on it stating, "Keep the signs, get rid of the puppets on the Town Board."

Weeks said he has limited staff with which to enforce the law so it will take some time to do. He said he began with the Route 9W area. Weeks also said he put notices in the newspapers and on public access to alert residents and businesses of the change in the zoning laws.

Karl Lezette, owner of Lezette Express on state Route 212, said he expects to receive a summons for his temporary sign. He said he does not want to replace that sign with a permanent one, which could get in the way when he moves his vehicles. Lezette also said his sign is rarely used for advertising, except when hiring, and is generally used to alert the community of events and elections. He said, though, his sign currently states, "Leave this sign alone. Remove the Town Board."