The town has for some time had an ordinance prohibiting such signs, but it hasn't been enforced.

Beginning Aug. 1, though, the Board of Public Works will assign employees to survey and remove any signs found in rights of way.

Among the signs targeted are signs for garage sales, open houses and those giving directions to new developments.

Notification of ordinance enforcement is being sent to builders, developers and businesses that operate within the corporate limits.

To start, the town will assign someone to work two or three weekends on sign removal, said Kevin Buchheit, Westfield's director of planning.

"We think that after that, (the signs) will probably die down quite a bit," he said..

After the initial blitz, the inspections will go to random Saturdays, Buchheit said.

Signs that are taken down will be stored at the Department of Public Works for three days; they will be disposed of after that.

"If our employees are met with a confrontation, they've got procedures as to how to respond to that," said Buchheit. "(Anyone putting up signs) will have the opportunity to pull them right then and there. If a confrontation escalates, then the employee will be advised to call in the Police Department."

Violation of the ordinance can carry a fine of up to $500 per day.

Town Manager Jerry Rosenberger said he doesn't expect problems.

"I think the communities that have done this have found compliance to come fairly quickly, and the dropoff (rate) is significant," he said.