Stonington gives initial support to outdoor music plan

Stonington — The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday offered its initial support to a plan by the nonprofit Bricks and Murals organization to place large outdoor musical instruments that anyone can play in locations throughout downtown Pawcatuck and Westerly.

The selectmen even got a chance to try out one of the xylophone-like instruments, as Bricks and Murals representative Tim Lebling brought one to the selectmen's meeting at the police station. The instruments are designed to withstand bad weather and vandalism.

On Monday, Lebling met with members of the town's Beautification

Committee at Donahue Park, one of the possible sites for an instrument.

Lebling has said the group envisions eight to 12 instruments placed from Grey Sail Brewing Co. south to the Amtrak station, Wilcox Park and possibly both sides of the Pawcatuck River Bridge. It would be known as the Westerly-Pawcatuck Harmony Trail.

First Selectmen Rob Simmons suggested Wednesday that Lebling meet with members of the Pawcatuck Veterans of Foreign Wars Post to make sure its members do not have objection to having instruments at two locations that contain war memorials.

“I think things that we can do to make downtown Westerly and Pawcatuck one place is beneficial,” Selectman John Prue said.

He and Selectwoman Kate Rotella said there could be concerns about decibel levels and people playing the instruments in the overnight hours and causing a nuisance for neighbors.

The selectmen encouraged Lebling and his group to continue with the effort and meet with town officials, police, the VFW, neighbors and businesses and then report back on their progress.

Lebling has said the plan is to raise money to purchase the instruments, which cost $4,000 to $6,000 each, and have them installed for the annual Pops in the Park concert on June 22, 2019.

It would piggyback on the success of last year’s Bricks and Murals project, during which 100 mural and sign artists from across the country, known as The Walldogs, painted 14 historical murals on the sides of buildings.