MAC: Civil War Infantryman

Did you know …

Canton’s Civil War “Infantryman” has been restored and is now back on its original pedestal in front of Memorial Hall. The statue was donated to the town of Canton by philanthropist Elijah Morse in 1890 and was placed inside Memorial Hall and used as a drinking fountain. Water would pour from the lions’ heads in the pedestal. In 1894, the statue — and its pedestal — was moved to the front of Memorial Hall, where it stood until 1968 when vandals pulled the statue off the pedestal, breaking it into many pieces. In 1978, Canton resident Ernie Ciccotelli Sr. decided to reconstruct and repair the statue. He completed the restoration in 1979, and for the next 35 years, it has stood in the lobby of Memorial Hall.

The cost to fully store the statue and move it back to the pedestal was $39,000, of which $30,000 came from Community Preservation Act funds and $9,000 from Veterans Agent Tony Andreotti’s Canton Veterans’ Fund. The fully restored statue was unveiled at an impressive rededication ceremony on Veterans Day, November 11. A large group turned out for the ceremony and featured remarks from Andreotti, Canton historian and Citizen columnist George Comeau, and selectman Avril Elkort.

On another note, the Civil War Infantryman has a great new color. The old paint was removed by Conservation Solutions of Maryland, who reassembled the statue and coated it with a system of acid etching primers and acrylics designed to mimic the bronze patina. Bronze powder-filled paint was followed by a coat of darker brown paint and rubbed back to age the statue; and finally, a coat of wax sealed the system. The finished product is a sight to behold, and from the residents of Canton, it’s our tribute to the fallen Civil War soldiers from this town. The only thing MAC would like to see would be lights shining on the statue, and according to town officials, it will be done.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 71 income tax filers in Canton reported $1 million or more in income. The average per the 71 filers was $2.5 million, and the average taxes paid was $116,000.

The Canton Council on Aging is asking all residents who participate in senior functions, trips, small gatherings, special events, etc. to refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and other fragrances. Allergic and asthmatic patients, as well as those with other conditions, have reported that certain odors, even in the smallest amounts, can trigger an episode. The new senior center will be looking for a “perfume-free environment.”

The Absolute Landscaping Company of Canton recently advertised for snowplow operations at $30 per hour and snow shovelers at $20 per hour. Applicants must be available all winter until April 15 and on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those interested should contact snow@absolutelandscaping.net.

The Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame recently held its second induction ceremony at the Blue Hill Country Club in Canton. The 2014 class included Joanne Goodwin, Margaret and Harriot Curtis, Bob Toski, Paul Harney, and Fred Wright. The inaugural class included Francis Ouimet, Pat Bradley, Fred Corcoran and Donald Ross.

Dr. Robert Ferrante, a 66-year-old former Canton resident and a University of Pittsburgh researcher, was recently convicted of first-degree murder in the cyanide poisoning death of his wife, 41-year-old neurologist Dr. Autumn Klein.

Road salt is getting more expensive to purchase this year. According to the Department of Transportation, last year road salt went for $51.95 per ton. This year, the cost jumped 36 percent to $70.65 per ton. And if the coming winter is anything like last winter, cities and towns will see their snow removal budget take a big increase.

In the recent November elections, voters in Berkeley, California, passed the country’s first soda tax that included other sugar drinks. The university town of 117,000 passed the tax by over 75 percent, which is designed to deter consumers from drinking beverages that public health officials agree are leading to dangerous levels of obesity. The beverage companies spent nearly $2.5 million to stop the measure while the opposition was helped out by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, famous for trying to pass his own anti-soda measure, who poured nearly $400,000 into the pro-tax campaign.

Carlene Campbell-Hegarty of Dedham was recently appointed by the selectmen as a part-time human resources specialist to assist HR Director Jody Middleton.

There are 801 students at the Galvin Middle School, and 715 ride the school bus, according to School Business Manager Barry Nectow.

The Earl Newhouse Waterfront at the Williams Estate on the reservoir has closed for the season to allow the DPW to upgrade a public road from the waterfront out to Pleasant Street.

Applicants for the new town planner position are being interviewed for the post. It is expected that a final appointment will be made by January 1.

Canton tennis phenom Jackie Nannery is listed as the top high school freshman in the state by the Tennis Recruiting Network.

This year, as we struggle with shopping lists, holiday parties, and invitations, compounded by December’s cold weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation and people to whom we are worth the same. Also, like many years in the past, you probably will see at least one copy of the letter that 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to the editor of the New York Sun in 1897 questioning whether or not Santa Claus really exists. When you see it, take a moment to re-read the editor’s response. It explains it all.

And finally, MAC would like to take this opportunity to wish that you all enjoy a very Merry Christmas, and he hopes you and your family get all the wonderful presents you hoped for. Again, a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

This is all for now folks. See you next week.

Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.

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