Historic structures, Doughboy update

NORTH CANAAN — With four members of the board present (Tom Gailes attending his last meeting and Charlie Perotti preparing to come on board),  the Board of Selectmen dealt with a lengthy agenda Nov. 17.

Gailes was appointed to continue as the town’s coordinator of the renovation of Canaan Union Station.

Approvals are currently being sought from the state, which is administering federal funding, on plans for the final phase of the project. The remaining work includes finishing interior spaces to accommodate tenants for its restaurant, retail and office spaces. The building is owned by the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association, which  has been assembling a list of potential tenants. No lack of interest is anticipated.

Another historic structure is set to be rehabbed with federal funds. The Forbes-Adam bridge on Lower Road will receive repairs to its deck, parapets and other components with American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, or stimulus dollars. The $330,000 coming to the town will cover construction costs, as well as the $15,000 already spent on engineering.

The board also approved a proposal by new town Treasurer Emily Minacci to appoint outgoing Treasurer Ned Gow as assistant treasurer. The appointment is allowed, Minacci explained, to ensure someone is always available to handle town financial business. Minacci served previously as Gow’s assistant.

Gailes, a Navy veteran who coordinates the annual Memorial Day events, asked that the selectmen work with him on updating the war memorial at the Doughboy Monument. Current plaques honor veterans of both world wars and Korea and Vietnam.

“We have not acknowledged veterans of the little wars since then, although there is no such thing as a little war when you’re in it,� Gailes said.

The first step is to determine if there is room on the existing monument for at least one more plaque, or if another memorial can be erected elsewhere on the site.

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