Groton Town Council balks at placement of John Kelley statue

Groton — The Town Council Tuesday night stopped short of formally supporting placement of a John Kelley memorial statue on town-owned property in downtown Mystic.

The council instead tabled a resolution asking them to consider placing the Kelley statue in the small park at the corner of Route 1 and Bank Street, while they explore other options. The council did not rule out the site as a future home for the statue.

A fund-raising group is searching for a spot for the memorial to honor Kelley, a two-time Olympian, Fitch High school teacher, Groton resident and winner of the 1957 Boston Marathon.

During public comment portion the meeting, former Mayor Frank "Mick" O'Beirne asked the council not to rush a decision and instead to consider other possibilities for the site.