Report by Paula Antolini
December 10, 2018 10:34AM EDT
The Bethel Board of Selectmen (BOS) held their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 to discuss and vote upon the application from James Naddeo for a non-denominational (atheist) display (banner sign), 8 feet by 4 feet in size, to be placed in P. T. Barnum Square on Bethel.
The Board of Selectmen voted to approve Naddeo’s application after public input was closed, without discussing public comments or letters submitted. Each selectman offered a prepared statement before voting. The application was approved. First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker and Selectman Richard Straiton each voted yes and Selectman Paul Szatkowski voted no.
The names of residents who wrote letters regarding this topic were mentioned at the meeting, including two “anonymous” letters, but the letters themselves were not read by the BOS to the meeting attendees. You may read these letters below, shown in order presented by the board. (Enlarge your page to read letters. Addresses and profanity have been covered in black.)
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LETTER FROM BOB LEGNARD:
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LETTER FROM ANONYMOUS (not marked):
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LETTER FROM GLORIA WHALEY:
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LETTER FROM STEPHEN C. GALLAGHER:
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LETTER FROM “ANONYMOUS BUT SINCERE BETHEL CITIZEN”:
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LETTER FROM DAVID COE:
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