By Dominik Lobkowicz
With funding from the town and other sources, several volunteers aim to repair the Somerville Roll of Honor on Route 105. The town’s board of selectmen voted previously to tear the more than 60-year-old structure down. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
A proposal by several concerned citizens willing to volunteer their time and efforts saved a veterans memorial in Somerville from being torn down.
Residents Alice and David Rafuse went before the Somerville Board of Selectmen Aug. 12 to request around $230 to pay for materials to fix the tired Somerville Roll of Honor on Route 105.
The Rafuses have been maintaining the grounds around the monument for about 25 years, they said.
According to First Selectman Susan Greer, the board of selectmen had voted previously to tear down the structure.
Beyond recognizing the town’s veterans, the more than 60-year-old wooden structure is one of only a few landmarks in the town and is still in “remarkable” shape for its age, David Rafuse said.
Alice Rafuse said Elaine Porter had agreed to create new plywood lettering for the sign, and Janet Percival was willing to paint the calligraphy within the body of the monument.
The estimated costs for the wood, paint, and other materials needed to do the repairs totaled about $230, Alice Rafuse said.
Resident Andy Morse said he would be willing to donate $50 toward the repairs, and Alice Rafuse said she had received another offer of a $50 donation as well.
The board voted unanimously to pay for the materials to fix the sign, less any money donated for that purpose.
Third Selectman Darlene Landry said there was some sort of agreement between an owner of land the monument is located on and the town in years past that either was never written or has not survived on paper. She would like to have an easement from the current property owner for the monument.
