Cheshire Wants To Restore Stafford Hill Monument
Cracks in the monument have caused concern about its structural integrity.
With the restoration of the town’s historic water fountain on the horizon, the Historical Society solicited Brazeau Masonry to take a look at the Stafford Hill Monument and Selectwoman Carol Francesconi read a letter Tuesday outlining the $84,400 project.
"I think this is something that we should bring up to annual town meeting," she said. "It sounds like a lot of money but compared to how much we were told it would cost in the past that is pretty good…I think we need to bring this up to town meeting, so the people can give this some series thought."
The monument was built in 1927 to commemorate Colonel Joab Stafford, who fought in the battle of Bennington during the Revolutionary War and who was an early settler of Cheshire.
The monument itself is a replica of a stone tower in Rhode Island, where Stafford was from and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The condition of the tower has been a concern of town leaders for some time now. There are obvious cracks in the structure and graffiti plagues the inside of the tower walls.
Brazeau Masonry wrote much of the damage stems from five or six cracks and water seeping into the structure have only furthered damage.
Francesconi read the tomb floor is also cracked and is deteriorating with the rest of the tower.
Brazeau Masonry wrote a man lift and scissor lift will be needed to make repairs and a complete restoration would cost $84,400.
A total restoration would include a weatherproof sealant and a graffiti-proof sealant.
This is not the first time the town has seriously discussed restoring the tower and in 2001 the town actually received a $10,000 grant from the Barrett Fund to survey the monument.
The town hired Cambridge Engineering to survey the monument then, but the company came in with an estimate closer to $300,000.
Even just last year former Highway Superintendent Peter LeFebvre aired his concerns of the structural integrity of the tower.
Francesconi said it would be beneficial to contact Cambridge Engineering and ask for the documents from 2001.
Town Administrator Mark Webber said there are also grant opportunities the Historical Commission could peruse however these grants are often competitive.
Brazeau Masonry also asked that a reverend be present at some point during the restoration.
The Selectmen aren't sure if Stafford is buried there or if his body was moved somewhere else years ago.
"Whatever religion Mr. Stafford was I would request that a local reverend of that religion be present before we start to bless the site and bless him to keep him at peace," Francesconi read.
"I don’t need him haunting me or being angry."
That led to questions about whether Stafford was actually buried atop Stafford Hill.
"We could always go up with a sledgehammer and figure this out once in for all," Selectman Robert Ciskowski joked.
Francesconi said she was sure Stafford was at some point removed and reburied in a town cemetery.
"I know he is not there anyways they moved him…we know he is not there," Francesconi said. "So Mr. Brazeau doesn’t have to worry about the ghost."
