This endeavor is ongoing and this FAQ will be updated as more information becomes available.
“So, About That Roadside Electronic Sign…”
Q: What is this about a Digital Roadside sign?
A: The Executive Team (ET), in consultation with the Board of Trustees (BOT), has been exploring the possibility of replacing our old manual message board with a digital version. This process started over two years ago, and we were reviewed by DelDOT (DE Dept of Transportation) and Sussex Planning and Zoning (P&Z) in 2025 in September. The proposal was initially considered by the Sussex County Council in September. A timeline of the project and its progress can be viewed at the following link.
Q: Why would we need or want a Digital Sign?
A: Our manual message sign is on its last legs. The process of changing the message on our current sign is labor-intensive and time-consuming, and it falls to volunteers. The proposed digital sign would be much easier to update and can include multiple messages at one time. For these and similar reasons, many congregations are updating their signage with digital replacements.
Another real concern is the safety of the volunteers who change the message on the sign. One volunteer sustained a sprained ankle while changing the message due to the uneven ground where the sign is located. The depressions in the ground are difficult to see due to grass and leaves. This safety risk would be completely eliminated with the proposed digital sign.
The proposed digital sign will also allow UUSD to better communicate our existence and message to the larger community as well as announcing special events that are open to the public such as the Craft Fair and concerts. The proposed digital sign will provide an added safety benefit by improving the visibility of our church entrance from the highway especially in the early evening.
Q: Why don’t we list our upcoming Sunday service title & topic on the current marquee?
A: With our current sign, it is too much work and effort to change the message weekly. With the proposed digital sign, we will be able to change the message at least weekly and have multiple messages running through a short reel. Announcing our upcoming Sunday service speaker and topic via a digital sign will be yet another way we could get our message–and clarity about what UUSD is about–out to the local community.
Q: Do we have a picture or graphic representation of what the proposed sign will look like?
A: We have a picture of one possible option. The final design has not been determined, but several options will be considered. Photographs and videos of several signs in use by other congregations were presented at the October 2025 post-service “Coffee and Conversation with the Board.”
Q: Will the sign look like a billboard?
A: No, the entire profile of the proposed sign will be a maximum of 8’w x 8’h (height includes the 2’ post it sits on.) It is much smaller than a billboard.
Q: How much will it cost?
A: We don’t have a firm answer for that yet. We have 2 estimates that are in the $50-60,000 range. (This would include all installation, technical and hardware costs.)
Q: Do the estimates include service agreements and/or warranties? If not, what is the plan for routine maintenance and repairs of the proposed sign?
A: As we reach an agreement with a vendor, the total cost presented to the Board will include maintenance costs, upkeep, etc.
Q: When will it go up?
A: We have three years from the time the County approved our zoning request in October 2025 to complete the project. The actual timeline for installation will be determined by the Board after they review the topic again, and make a final decision.
Q: Where will the money come from?
A: We will be working with our Co-Treasurers to identify the best sources of funding for this. We are also looking at the possibility of a Chalice Lighters Grant from the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Central East Region (CER) for small projects (any project under $80,000). (Please consider becoming a CER Chalice Lighter if you aren’t already! *)
Q: How do I become a Chalice Lighter for the UUA’s Central East Region so that I can be a part of helping UUSD be eligible for one of their Small Project Grants?
A: Thanks for asking! You can sign up right now, here:
CER Chalice Lighters Sign Up Page | Central East Region | UUA.org
Q. When and how will the final decision on the design of the proposed sign be made?
A. Since we expect that the funds for this project would likely come from some mix of grant funds and reserve funds, our elected BOT holds final approval for this project.
Q. Will congregants be able to give input about what goes up on the proposed sign?
A. A digital sign can have the message changed daily if needed and different Committees would continue to be able to make requests for messages. We would also be making sure that the sign is programmed to not be brightly lit late at night so as not to disturb our neighbors.
Q. What will be the impact on our Cool Congregation award by IP&L?
A. A digital sign would not impact the Cool Congregation award by IP&L (Interfaith Power & Light). UUSD would still meet the requirements for this award. The Cool Congregation Certification is awarded in recognition of exemplary efforts to make significant greenhouse gas reductions. Interfaith Power and Light (IPL), a national faith-based non-profit organization promoting energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy to combat climate change, certified UUSD at the 40 percent (or more) carbon reduction level. We were able to transform our energy use from oil and electric grid-based energy sources, to all electric, with 97% of the energy produced by our 28kw of rooftop solar cells leased from Clean Energy USA (CEU). We will also be exploring ways to “carbon offset” the electric draw of the signs such as planting trees.
Q. What would be the impact on our Green Sanctuary accreditation?
A. A digital sign would not impact the UUSD Green sanctuary accreditation. UUSD would remain in compliance with the accreditation requirement for a Green Sanctuary. UUSD has met and will continue to meet the Green Sanctuary standards. The goal of the Unitarian Universalist Association Green Sanctuary Program is to help bring congregational culture into greater alignment with long-term, environmentally-aware faith and practices. The program is based on a framework of four focus areas: 1) Environmental Justice, 2) Worship and Celebration, 3) Religious Education and 4) Sustainable Living. Green Sanctuary Goals are to 1) Build awareness of the significance and complexity of environmental issues, 2) Encourage personal lifestyle changes consistent with our UU Seventh Principle, 3) Engage in community action on environmental issues, 4) Strengthen the connection between spiritual practice and Earth consciousness, 5) Work to heal environmental injustices.
Q. What would be the impact on our Wildlife Habitat certification?
A. A digital sign would not impact our Wildlife Habitat certification. The designation recognizes the congregation has fulfilled the requirements of the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife program by creating gardens and landscape features that support birds, butterflies, bees, frogs, and other local wildlife. UUSD has also met the requirement for each Certified Wildlife Habitat organization to provide natural sources of food, water, cover, and places to raise young, and is maintained in a sustainable way that incorporates native plants, conserves water, and does not rely on pesticides.
Q. Will the digital sign be a problem for our neighbors who live in close proximity to UUSD?
A: A few Red Mill Pond residents have expressed concern about the sign being visible from their homes, particularly at night. The proposed sign will be less than eight feet high, will be dimmed to a black screen from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., and will not be directly facing the housing development.
Q. What will be done to minimize light pollution from the sign?
A. UUSD will follow industry established best practices to minimize light pollution from the sign. The International Dark Sky Association has published guidelines for electronic message centers.
Q. What happens to our proposed digital sign if Route 9 gets widened?
A. We have discussed this with the engineers who are assisting us with the project. The proposed plan is to put the sign as far back as possible on the county easement. We have also discussed the feasibility of moving it further back, should that become necessary, and knowing that it may have to be moved at some point is being incorporated into the initial planning and installation approach.
Q. Who is on the ET if I have more questions about this or any other ET matter?
A. Currently (as of March 2026) on our Executive Team members are: Rev. Heather Rion Starr, Kim Cook, Linda DeFeo, Judy Hayes, Mike Burns, Lauren Brown and Carol Marzetta. All are reachable at execteam@uussd.org.