To longtime residents, municipal signs can fade to near invisibility. But to visitors, a town's signs can make an important first impression.

That's why leaders in Berlin and Milford are taking a critical look at how effectively friendly their identifying signs are.

In Berlin, 14 welcome signs are being erected at gateway points as part of an Economic Development Commission to improve aesthetics in commercial areas. The signs, which bear the town seal and say "Welcome to Berlin," are constructed from aluminum and steel, stand on a decorative cast-iron base and are intended to evoke a New England village feeling.

The commission took more than a year to agree on the deign because the style will be repeated in identifying signs to be installed late in such locations at Sage Park and the Worthington Ridge historic district.

In Milford, the focus is on "way finder" signage to help people navigate downtown and find their way to scattered interest points.

"Signage is very important. It gives you an impression of community. It creates an image of self and place," said Economic and Community Development Director Robert Gregory.

He said the new signs likely will feature the city logo. The current logo, which shows a sailboat and a church, has not been displayed much and may be redesigned. Some signs will be tailored for the destinations they point to.

Milford neighbors Stratford and Bridgeport have also upgraded their signs recently.