A maverick in the satellite communications field whose North Street mansion was modeled after the Petit Trianon at Versailles, [Rene Anselmo] initially suggested green signs instead of white, only to be convinced that the latter would be more attractive, [Mary Hull] recalled. Anselmo agreed to pay for more than 60 signs prior to his death in 1995. The signs are predominantly located north of Route 1 and in Chickahominy, although several have cropped up in Old Greenwich and Riverside over the years.
"The fact remains, a lot of people were very pissed off when Anselmo did this," [Bernie Yudain] said, explaining that he prefers the low- key, utilitarian look of the metal signs rather than the contrived image of elegance that the wooden ones exude. "I hated them because I thought they were too Mickey Mouse village, quaint sort of thing."