On his way from City Hall to the bank yesterday, Chuck Hafter snared 15 political signs that were violating the rules of conduct. Signs are not allowed in the highway right-of-way. He found 12 at the corner of Swift and Spear streets.

Hafter, the South Burlington city manager, loaded the ones he saw into the back of his truck. Candidates, informed by letter that this would happen if their signs strayed into the wrong space, can collect them from the pile in back of City Hall.

Violators come from all political parties, Hafter said. Politicians are no worse offenders than real estate agents and garage sale holders. Hafter figures the candidates themselves aren't the ones typically putting the signs in the right of way because they know the rules, but their friends and supporters do not.

Hafter said he's not just being a stickler. The signs pose a safety hazard, he said.

Signs may go on private property with the permission of the owner, but not within 24.75 feet of the center of most roads, according to state law. Localities may have laws of their own as well. They can't be posted on road signs or trees, either.

Hafter and others like him are likely to be busy in the next few days.

- Terri Hallenbeck