Ohio Baptists Erecting Monument in Cheshire to John Leland
CHESHIRE, Mass. – A Baptist group out of Ohio wants to erect a monument to one of the town's best known historical figures: the Rev. John Leland.
The Baptist Heritage Revival Society wants to install the memorial near Leland's grave in the town cemetery. Although the Selectmen appreciated the interest in one of their own past residents, the cemetery rules do not allow for any monuments in the cemetery.
"They want a sign with his picture and engravings and all of this stuff," Selectwoman Francesconi said. "I looked them up, and they are this tiny group from the Midwest."
Leland, who was born in the mid-18th century, was a well-known abolitionist and an important figure in early battles in America over religious liberty.
Francesconi said he was one of the early settlers in Cheshire, founded its Baptist Church, and delivered the giant block of cheese the people of Cheshire gifted to President Thomas Jefferson in 1802.
A strong advocate of religious liberty, he was instrumental in supporting James Madison's election to Congress while residing in Virginia and the development of 1st Amendment. Jefferson invited him to address Congress in 1802 on religious liberty.
The Historical commission endorsed the idea of the monument, and it was ultimately decided to move the monument to Leland Park, the home of the giant cheese press that boasts an engraving of Leland.
The Baptist Heritage Revival Society was amicable to this, however, reserved the right to be in total charge of the design of the monument – which will be a metal plate with a description of Leland and his picture. Because the monument cannot be near his grave, there will be an engraved map showing where it is.
Selectman Robert Ciskowski felt the town should make sure Leland Park remains mostly the same in continued discussions with the Baptist Group.
"They must maintain the integrity of Leland park," he said. "I wonder if the Baptists know that the monument to the cheese press is really a modified cider press?"
The Board of Selectmen also approved the three articles for the special town meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12.
The first article on the warrant approved during Tuesday night's meeting asks the town to transfer $15,000 from certified free cash to be used to pay for continued membership in the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's Kinder Morgan Natural Gas Pipeline Working group.
Because no money is allocated for the assessment, the town must pull from free cash.
The Selectmen agreed last meeting that it would in the town's best interest to stay in the group so they will be in a better positon if the pipeline comes through.
Article 2 will ask the town to transfer $34,755 from the water operating surplus account to purchase a new four-wheel drive pickup truck with a plow.
The Water Department wants the truck for the newly hired superintendent; the surplus account consists of water-user money.
Town Administrator Mark Webber said currently the surplus account has $221,490 available.
The third article is a standard town meeting article allowing any other business that was not placed on the warrant.
The special town meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Cheshire Community Center.
After the selectmen signed the warrant, Webber said he has been in conversations with the state Department of Ecological Restoration about performing a reconnaissance study on Kitchen Brook Dam and its removal.
The brook is part of the watershed the town no longer uses as a reservoir that is part of more than 700 acres of land off West Mountain Road the town would like to sell to the state for an anticipated $1 million.
Webber said he has also been in contact with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation inquiring about who to talk to about possibly selling the land.
He added the town should figure out how much it wants to carve out of the parcel to keep.
Francesconi said Cheshire Elementary school has been moved form a level three school to a level two. The district remains a three.
"That is a n improvement over last year which is a compliment to the staff and the students," she said. "That is for sure."
The Selectmen sold their decommissioned 1986 fire truck to Village Truck Sales for $3,290. They were the only bidder.
"I was guessing $4,000 but $3,290 is better than nothing," Selectman Paul Astorino said.
The Selectmen accepted the resignation of Police Officer Shaun Gariepy who is transferring to Pittsfield.
"He did a fine job as an officer in the town," Francesconi said.
The town has begun advertising for a new full time officer.
Tags: historical figure, special town meeting,
