An electronic sign will be installed on West Superior Street in front of the fire station in Wayland.

The Wayland City Council Monday decided to spend $22,944.11 for the 2×8-foot device in an agreement with Midwest Signs of Byron Center. The sign will be a lot the like the ones at the Yankee Springs Township fire station, at the Dorr Township Hall and in front of Lameyer Plumbing in Dorr.

Brandon Avink of Midwest Signs said his company handled the latter two signs.

The city, the Downtown Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce will share costs and the Wayland school district will be asked to chip in.

Toni Lohroff, Wayland High School student representative on the City Council asked what the signs would be used for and was told they would publicize city, police and fire events.

“What are the chances this sign won’t have the same problems that the sign at the high school had years ago?” Lohroff asked.

Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel explained the at the electronic sign that failed at the high school was a good example of functional obsolescence in that the software became outdated and too expensive to replace.

Avink tried to reassure the council by saying, “I don’t think you’ll have a software issue in the future,” noting that the Watchfire brand is excellent and up to date.

The city was given the option of having a larger sign and broadband services for the device, but declined.

“I don’t think it’s fiscally responsible for us to pay for a larger unit,” Councilman Rick Mathis said.

Though Avink said, “There are benefits to having a three-foot (sign),” but also noted, “People are doing just fine with the two-foot display.”

The sign will have a stone rather than brick veneer and its design will be reviewed by a Main Street program committee before it is installed to make certain it is compatible with the feel of the downtown.