Stonington approves project to restore Cannon Square

Stonington - The borough Board of Warden and Burgesses unanimously approved the final plan for the restoration of 101-year-old Cannon Square on Monday night.

The approval comes after two years of discussion and debate about how to restore the square, which commemorates the successful effort by residents to repel a British naval attack in August of 1814.

The plans call for adding a small ramp on the south side of the square so people can access it and better view the monument and cannons. A fence built of black cast iron bollards and large links of chain will line the edges of the square. The level of the square, which is several inches higher than the sidewalk, will remain as it is now.

Two of the three trees in the square, an elm and a maple, will remain, while the fir will be removed. Much of the controversy over the plan centered on whether to have trees in the park as some residents did not want to see any there. A new flagpole will be relocated just behind the cannons and will be lit at night.

The work, which will also involve reseeding the square and installing a sprinkler system, is scheduled to be done later this spring.

The two cannons will then be returned.

Work to restore the cannons at Texas A&M University is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month while the two carriages are being assembled and painted at Deschenes and Cooper Architectural Millwork in Pawcatuck.

A combination of $20,000 in state funds and $70,000 raised by the Village Improvement Association will pay for the work.

The borough has spent $2,000 so far but is not expected to spend the $10,000 it allocated for new trees in the park because none are planned.

j.wojtas@theday.com