Tercentennial Memorial Slated For

April Groundbreaking At ETH

By Kendra Bobowick

Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers members met Tercentennial memorial progress with concern Monday evening as planners announced a tentative early April date to break ground. A memorial to the town’s 300th anniversary, which passed in 2005, will be established on the town hall grounds.

Past months have seen Tercentennial Committee members visiting with the managers to describe plans established by the committee to permanently commemorate the town’s anniversary with a memorial. Managers’ questions accompanied news that these plans are on the brink of breaking ground as committee member Brigette Sorensen presented a draft of instructions prepared for bidders during the groups’ latest meeting on February 12.

Board of Managers Chairman Jay Gill voiced the first hint of concern regarding the project that will revamp the front of town hall with etched granite stones featuring the tercentennial logo, new benches, and improvements to the grounds and landscaping in the small yard areas flanking the walkway leading to the town hall entry.

“Is this a [Board of Managers] project or a done deal? You’re looking for our approval on this right?” Mr Gill asked.

A sense of responsibility for the historic building plays a part in managers’ concern. Jane Sharpe said, “We have a fiduciary responsibility to this building.” The Board of Managers is charged with the management, supervision, and maintenance of the Edmond Town Hall.

In past months the board has seen the details for the planned memorial, but is now primarily concerned with the black and white details in the instructions for bidders.

“We have to be very clear who is responsible for what,” said manager Sandra Motyka, regarding wording she would like to see in the document of instructions.  “I am a big proponent of spelling it all out.”

With the draft in hand and hopes of seeing the project go out to bid this week, Ms Sorensen said, “We can find an area [in the document] to describe who the different parties are.”

Managers and Tercentennial Committee representatives, including Town Historian Daniel Cruson, agreed that town hall building superintendent Clark Kathan would represent the managers in the future.

Primarily, the managers hope to maintain some of the project’s supervisions, and establish a chain of responsibility.

“We are less concerned with the details [of the project] than about the process of management,” said Ms Sharpe.

She later formally resolved that they move ahead with the project, with the key being that Mr Kathan is involved, and “we have the final sign off” on the project. Mr Gill promptly seconded the motion.

Mr Gill also is concerned about securing permits for work.

“I want something saying they pull all the permits,” Mr Gill said.

The Tercentennial Committee members had approached the managers for the first time late last year.

Ms Sorensen had described the memorial and said, “We can cultivate that [town hall] space that anchors us to our community and makes us aware of what our identity is.” Included in the project is a “paver,” which is a circular, etched granite stone to be embedded in the town hall’s front walk and decorated with the tercentennial logo.

“You’ll see the paver, the logo and say, ‘I remember 2005…’” she said.

The Tercentennial Committee and the town both have funds allotted for the project and materials including benches and pavers. Ms Sorensen believes the actual construction will cost less than $10,000.