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"At what point does this become a social issue," he asked, wondering if the town code gives planners the authority to question the content of a sign.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Nadine Fuda said she didn't think the code addressed the issue and following the meeting, after looking at the code, The Independent could find no reference to the content of signs.
Planning Board Attorney Timothy Nugent said he would look into the matter further.
The issue came to light after planners were asked to make a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals on a second wall sign proposed for the former Stewart's building, 1570 Columbia Turnpike.
The second wall sign was suggested in lieu of a double-faced pylon sign.
The board ultimately gave the ZBA a favorable recommendation but included in the resolution that it did not endorse the content of the sign.
"It's not easy to categorize," said Planning Board Chairman Peter Goold. "What if we ask them to change it and they make it worse?"
According to the Urban Dictionary website, which chronicles the use of slang, the first definition of a Goomba is "An Italian American, and only an Italian American, who has ties with the mafia... He is in no way a gangster or a mobster himself."
But another definition on the site states the word goomba, derived from Italian, means close friend, accomplice or mentor.
Yet another definition describes the word this way: "Taken from an Italian word meaning friend, the word is mostly used today as an insulting term for Italian-Americans."
"By calling someone a Goomba, you are implying that they have ties to the mafia," said the slang website.
Other Urban Dictionary definitions indicate the term is derogatory in nature, carrying the same concept as pig-farmer or a person who is fat, lazy, ignorant, a slob, annoying, big, clumsy or awkward.
Another definition points to its misuse of an old southern Italian word for godfather and another says it is a symbol of urban destruction.
A Goomba is also an enemy character from Nintendo's series of Mario video games.
Steven Schirripa, who plays Bobby Bacala on the television show "The Soprano's," has a new book out called A Goomba's Guide to Life.
In the book, the star said that a goomba is a certain kind of Italian-American, not a gangster, but someone who knows gangsters.
He described the stereotypical goomba as a fat guy at a social club, drinking espresso and playing cards while eating a big plate of macaroni.
Mr. Schirripa said a goomba looks silly or dumb and wears too much jewelry.
Some Italians take offense at the word, he wrote, especially if it's said the wrong way.
A representative from the Italian Community Center in Troy who would not give his name said the center does not get involved in issues relating to slang terms. He did say he has heard the term used both in a friendly and a derogatory manner, but that he prefers it not be used at all.
Local residents also have heard the term goomba used both ways.
Resident Kathi Conway said she had a friend in high school who was referred to as Goomba and that as far as she knew, it meant "my buddy."
"I never even thought of it as a bad term until I got older and heard it used differently," she said. "It's sad how people can turn what was meant to be a good term into something bad. I still think of my friend Goomba today."
"I didn't even know his real name until years later, but I've always thought of him as Goomba," said Ms. Conway. "People wouldn't know who I was talking about if I said, 'Remember when Tony....'"
On the other hand, Kathi's husband Don said he never heard the term used as friendly.
"As far as I knew it was the name of bad guys in Super Mario Brothers [video] games," he said. "Later I heard it used only as a derogatory term. I never thought of it one way or another until then."
The issue is expected to be addressed by planners at the June 19 meeting.
