Forget The Fence At The Monument

Generally, we support any effort to improve the appearance of Newtown, so when the Borough of Newtown undertook a project to upgrade the little island of land at the head of Main Street at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument we were encouraged that this important place would be getting some long-overdue care and attention. Overgrown plantings were pulled out, a walkway was installed, and still more plantings are planned. There is one aspect of the project, however, that needs rethinking.

The granite posts that were installed, then removed for repositioning at the order of the state Department of Transportation, should be removed permanently from the monument’s improvement plan. The posts are designed to be connected by wooden rails and will present a solid barrier between the new improved parklet and the rest of the community. When the posts were first erected last month, it became apparent to many people that the new look would take some getting used to. But the more we looked at them, the more we realized that the posts and the fence they will anchor will effectively cut off this sacred place from the heart of the community on Main Street. Aside from blocking a clear view of the monument and its new landscaping, it will present a physical barrier restricting access to a place that should be open and expansive.

We applaud the borough and all those who have worked so hard on this project, but we urge them to forget the fence. It is not something we will ever get used to. It is a mistake.