COMMENTARY: Committee determined to fulfill its original charge to put a 9/11 memorial on the library green

Written by Sal M. Santella
Thursday, 05 November 2009 23:17

The Easton 9/11 Memorial Committee began in July 2007 when the Board of Selectmen decided it was time to form a committee to create and construct a lasting memorial on the green in front of the library.

Seven volunteers responded to an advertisement. First Selectman Bill Kupinse called the first meeting in August 2007. He repeated his charge to us to create a memorial on the green in front of the library.

Besides myself there were six women with unique talents and careers — including one with toddlers. They all possessed one common bond, namely: Each had a deep desire to develop a lasting memorial, not only to honor a native son and his family, but also the nearly 3,000 souls that were lost on that tragic day.

We held monthly meetings, spending many hours planning what would be the most appropriate structure on the green. We spent considerable time visiting memorials in other towns and even out of state.

We finally developed a concept for the memorial but lacked the expertise to put our thoughts on paper. Without any sizable cash at our disposal, we knew we needed an architect.

Our prayers were answered one day when a friend of mine said he knew such a person with a unique vision of 9/11, since he happened to be in Manhattan on that very day. He readily joined us as an unpaid consultant and added a spirit to our concepts.

His renderings resulted in a spectacular life-like depiction of 9/11.

A plaque on the memorial site will read as follows:

Easton remembers September 11, 2001.

Nearly 3,000 precious lives were lost on that tragic day.

The citizens of Easton honor the victims as well as

the loved ones left behind.

“What we have enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose,

for all that we loved deeply became a part of us.”

(Helen Keller 1880-1968)

In November 2008 we presented our renderings to the Board of Selectmen and were well received. A referral was made to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). In December 2008 the P&Z shocked us and the entire town by rejecting our proposal 4-1.

So after spending over a year-and-a-half developing a beautiful memorial that would enhance the area, we were told that the green was off limits. The P&Z recommended that other sites chosen by them be considered.

In the months that followed, we carefully walked over all the sites repeatedly. We kept a log with the pros and cons of each site. Our conclusion was that none of the sites equaled the one we were charged with in 2007.

The pedestrian traffic leaving the front door of the library has easy access for all people and is visible from all sides. It would create a lasting memorial for all generations to come.

In September 2009 we again went before the P&Z with a referral from the Board of Selectmen. We were again turned down, this time by a 3-2 vote.

They referred to the Town Plan of Conservation and Development of Easton. But nothing in the master plan precluded the placement of a memorial on the green.

We asked the commission to work with us to place a lasting memorial on the green to honor the victims of 9/11, but it fell on deaf ears. With or without their help, our committee will not give up because we know we are right in following our original charge in 2007.

We know deep in our hearts that when we build a memorial on the green, people will come and visit and meditate in a place created to give respect to all those who have perished on Sept. 11, 2001.

Sal M. Santella is Easton 9/11 Memorial Committee co-chairman.