Tercentennial Committee Considers

Plans For Year 300 Memorial

By Nancy K. Crevier

Who knew that winding down from a big event could take almost as long as getting it off the ground? The Tercentennial Steering Committee met yet again Wednesday afternoon, May 31, to discuss remaining financial concerns from the big event that took place last August in celebration of the town’s 300th birthday.

Treasurer John Trentacosta reported that even with more than 2,000 copies of the Dan Cruson book, A Mosaic of Newtown History, and 1,700 copies of the coffee table book, Newtown 300 left to sell, half of the publication costs have been recovered. Copies of the books are still available through C.H. Booth Library and Newtown Historical Society. A sum of $15,000 remains in the committee’s account at the bank to cover any outstanding costs, he reported.

The bulk of discussion at the afternoon meeting, however, revolved around what the committee hopes will be a lasting memorial to the town. The committee plans to use remaining funds toward a permanent structure commemorating the 300th celebration.

Committee member Brigette Sorensen, charged with investigating possibilities for a suitable gift to the town, presented a plan for consideration to the rest of the committee.

Centered in the walk at the front of Edmond Town Hall would be a paver depicting the tercentennial logo. On either side of the walkway, two-sided granite benches appropriately inscribed to memorialize the tercentennial would replace the present wooden benches. The design would incorporate space for future changeable art exhibitions by local artists, as well as an area to possibly later incorporate a small monument into the site.

Some members of the committee expressed concern that the project could cost beyond what the committee has earmarked for the project or that a obelisk-type monument might be more in keeping with what the committee originally had in mind.

“We have the opportunity to send a message out to the public to educate or to make a statement,” said Ms Sorensen, referring to the committee’s plan for a lasting memorial. She also noted that the cost of a granite or stone monument of adequate size had been researched and would be more expensive than the committee had anticipated.

The possibility of receiving public art funds from the State of Connecticut to supplement any memorial is being addressed, said Ms Sorensen. “We are looking at a low-maintenance plan,” she added.

The committee agreed Ms Sorensen’s plan was worth considering, depending upon input from the town hall board of managers.

“We need general approval before moving forward,” commented committee chairperson Dan Cruson.

The committee will meet again in midsummer to continue discussion of the memorial and any other new business that might arise.