KENT, Conn.—The Selectmen have set a special meeting for Monday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss two thorny issues. The intent of the meeting is to gain more public input on a proposed ordinance banning food trucks and a planned relocation of the Veterans Memorial.
The proposed food ordinance faced close questioning at a recent town meeting and townspeople sent it back to the selectmen for more clarification. Before taking the issue before a second town meeting, First Selectman Eric Epstein suggested that restaurant owners and townspeople discuss it at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
A similar solution was proposed for the relocation of the veterans memorial that is currently situated near Swift House. Members of the veterans committee feel the location is awkward and that the memorial would be more appropriate and visible located on the grounds of the Town Hall.
The Board of Selectmen balked at the location, however, saying that the committee should have approached the selectmen before assuming that it would be located there. In June, First Selectman Eric Epstein asked committee members to return with elevation and layout drawings for the proposed site before the board would issue any decision.
In a brief presentation last week, members of the committee revealed plans to locate the memorial on the northern portion of the Town Hall land. Committee member Marty Lindenmayer said that surveyor Gary Hock created a plan and that they would bring in an engineer to help with the elevation. He said there are no wetlands in the area, although a drainage pool fills up when there is runoff from the hillside.
Included in the plan is a sidewalk that would cross the front of the property between Town Hall and the post office. “Our mission is to look at the establishment of a sidewalk from Town Hall to avoid people walking in the road and it would tie into the veterans’ site for those having mobility issues,” said Lindenmayer.
A new monument for 44 veterans of the Revolutionary War from town would be installed with the five other stones honoring veterans of various wars but would not materially affect the size of the memorial.
Moving the memorial is estimated to cost $7,500 and $8,000 dollars. Committee member Brent Kallstrom said there have been significant donations of labor and materials. The Veterans Memorial Committee and American Legion Post plan to fundraise to offset costs.
“We’re again asking for the board’s approval to go forward with developing the proposed site,” Lindenmayer said. “We’ll start fundraising efforts so the cost to the town would be minimal. This a relocation, not something brand new.”
Epstein worried that the standing slabs with their backing of flags would detract from the appearance of the Town Hall. “Have you looked for other options?” he asked the committee members.
Lindenmayer said there was no other town-owned property where the memorial could be placed. The veterans rejected an idea from Tax Collector Debbie Devaux to place it behind the Town Hall to create a true veterans park.
Committee members argued the memorial would “disappear” behind the building.
“I would encourage you to start fundraising with a later decision,” Epstein said, saying that adding the item to the Sept. 14 would allow more public input.
