New plaque at Reservoir dam an ’embarrassment’

Dear Editor:

I request that our selectmen make a final improvement to the Reservoir Pond dam that was repaired over a period of three months last fall: Remove the plaque that was placed there — it’s an embarrassment.

If you pass by the repaired dam on Pleasant Street, you’ll notice that a three-by-two-foot plaque has been set in the restored wall, one of those plaques with raised bronze lettering and meant to be read by passers-by for the next 100 years.

And what does this plaque commemorate? The historic significance of the site? A fallen soldier? A town hero? No. The plaque commemorates the completion of the three-month repair job!

To those who have your names emblazoned on the plaque — our selectmen, various town managers, and the engineering and construction firms: I genuinely thank you for your efforts. But a three-month repair job does not merit a plaque. I’m sorry.

Couldn’t we have thought of something more selfless, something more appreciative of our history, something more worthy? I’m sure George Comeau could offer many suggestions. How about a plaque at the high school in honor of the late Marty Badoian, Canton High School’s longtime math teacher who inspired generations of our children? But as of now, what does it say about our town that in 2018 we chose to commemorate for the ages a three-month repair job?

Let’s remove the plaque — a blank wall would be an improvement — and replace it with a plaque commemorating something truly deserving of a place in Canton’s history.

Sincerely,

Michael Kazenel

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=48961

Posted by Canton Citizen on Jan 12 2019. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.