At Soldiers And Sailors Monument—

Granite Fence Posts Removed For Repositioning

By Dottie Evans

A major beautification project at the Soldiers and Sailors monument undertaken by the Borough Board of Burgesses has been temporarily halted because of a problem with setback lines for a stone fence along its Main Street side.

According to landscape designer Brid Craddock, who is acting as project coordinator with local contractors, the State Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction over Main Street (also Route 6 and 25), stipulated that the fence line on that side the triangular park be moved back.

“They installed the posts, and then the state came out to inspect. Unfortunately, the posts were 18 inches to two feet too close to the center of the road. You’d think it would be obvious, but it depends upon the easements and setbacks, so we measured wrong,” Ms Craddock said.

“We pulled them out and filled in all the holes so no one would step into one and get hurt,” she explained.

“When the new holes are dug along Main Street, we will remove the dirt from the holes along Schoolhouse and Hanover [roads]. The delay is because the granite fence installer, Swenson, is away for two weeks, and Conner landscaping also is on vacation. Board of Burgesses Warden Joan Crick is away. We hope to resume within two weeks,” she said.

“When you take a group of people who have never worked together before, it takes awhile to get coordinated. Initially we hoped to be done by Veterans’ Day, but now we expect it will be in the next couple of weeks, depending on the weather.”

As of just two weeks ago, townspeople were becoming accustomed to the monument’s new, more formal look. Many wondered what had happened when suddenly the granite posts were seen lying on the ground. Did this mean a reversal in plans? Was it the result of a Halloween prank?

“Several have said they hoped the work would continue,” Ms Craddock said.

The wooden rails between the fence posts will be installed after the posts go back up, and the plantings will not go in until spring. The new brick walkways and special lighting to enhance the marble statue are already in place.

Known as the Peace and Liberty monument when it was first dedicated in 1931, the triangular green at the top of Main Street has up until now retained its low profile. The only ornaments and additions over 70-plus years were a few stone benches set between the stone tablets displaying the names of those Newtown residents who fought in all wars.