On a cold and frosty night over 50 Cornish residents came to the open meeting of town members, planning bard and selectmen to discuss the veteran’s monument. Many good points were made and Calista Cross and her small committee had a chance to explain all the research on various sites and the type of monument and we were shown samples of pavers. Straw votes were taken to see where everyone stood on the issues. Almost all of those present were in favor of a monument and many thanked Calista and her committee for doing all the fund raising. (over $6,000) so far. Suggestions were made to have meetings at the fire barn (heated) instead of private homes and to put meeting notices in the Shopping Guide to generate more input into the small committee meetings. Most people there were in favor of having a monument for veterans and many wanted the modern black marble monument (Colette’s has designed although several liked the look of the granite monument even though it would require more upkeep and cleaning. The monument committee thinks Thompson Park is too small as they want to have a flag pole, some granite benches and a walkway of pavers with soldier’s names on them. They were offered a small triangle lot in the Riverside Cemetery and Calista explained that it was not large enough for a flag pole and granite benches and pavers, and that the back of the lot was a significant drop off. Colette’s also told them that the monument should not be next to a road, even a small cemetery drive.) The cemetery committee wants to sell the larger nicer lots. Prices of $4,000 and $ 5,000 were mentioned. But the cemetery head did say that they would take on the responsibility for all maintenance and repairs that the monument may need over the years. The Fairgrounds location was the choice of the monument committee or a private location on private land. If the fairgrounds are used than that land is town owned and the town would be responsible for maintenance and repairing vandalism. Issues were raised about buried water mains and electric wires, but the monument committee would look into these issues and would find a proper place. Most people attending last night seemed to like it visible from the road. Straw votes were taken repeatedly and Diane Harrington kept a count. Straw votes are not legal and binding but they do show what the people attending are in favor of. The sense at the end of the meeting was for the committee to keep on searching for locations and to consider input from town members about style, location, and whether or not to have pavers. Some people there thought pavers were like walking on someone’s grave or tombstone and didn’t like it. Others liked the idea but said what about people who couldn’t afford to buy one for their veteran and Calista answered that there would be fundraising to have money to pay for those who couldn’t. I was unclear at the end of the meeting how this subject would be worded and put on the Town meeting ballot, but I think it has already been submitted. Help this committee complete the project they have been working on for almost 2 years. Now is your chance. If you have ideas or a donations of funds contact Calista Cross, Kaye Blake or another member of the monument committee. If the monument is not ordered soon, prices are going up significantly in March, 2014. As I walked out the door, an 85 year old Cornish veteran told me he hopes he lives long enough to see this happen!! Notes taken by: Linda Griffin
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:06:25 +0000
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