Bethel approves holiday displays on town green
BETHEL — Christmas, Hanukkah and any celebrations will be represented on the downtown green this holiday season.
The Board of Selectmen voted 21 Tuesday evening to approve all five applications for displays that residents had requested to go on P.T. Barnum Square during the first year of a policy on religious displays.
A creche, menorah and three banners supporting atheism, peace and humanity will fit on the square, meaning the town avoids holding a lottery that could have kicked off one of the displays.
Selectman Paul Szatkowski said he was glad the creche, which has been displayed in town for decades during the Christmas season, would keep its spot.
“It’s been a tradition,” he said. “It’s something I do not want to change.”
The banner wishing a happy holiday season “from your friendly atheist neighbors” was displayed last year, but the others are new.
The menorah was purchased by resident Bill Hillman with donations from
Selectman Paul Szatkowski said he was glad the creche, which has been displayed in town for decades during the Christmas season, would keep its spot.
residents.
“This is really very meaningful to me having a menorah displayed in my hometown that has a Hebrew name, Bethel,” Hillman said.
One of the new banners says “peace,” while the other says “HumanLight,” a secular holiday celebrated on Dec. 23 that celebrates compassion and hope.
“The new additions, they’re fine,” Szatkowski said. “They’re in good taste
and that’s what it’s all about.”
But some residents said they are concerned future displays would not be as tasteful.
“We need to keep the integrity of the town square,” one resident of 47 years said.
A committee studying the issue had recommended the town prioritize displays — like the creche and atheist banner — that traditionally sat on the square. But town officials said they could not give special treatment to certain displays.
“It’s truly an allornone
situation,” First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said.
Instead, the policy created an application process that gave all religious displays an equal chance of being on the square.
“If we allow any display, there has to be an equal and fair opportunity for others to do the same,” Knickerbocker said.
Selectman Rich Straiton had voted against the policy, arguing it could lead to offensive displays. He voted Tuesday against these displays on principal.
“I have to follow through with my reasons for the
original motion,” he said.
Applications were open in the month of October to Bethel residents only and needed to include insurance and a rendering of their displays. The displays could not exceed onethird of the space on P.T. Barnum and could have been rejected based on public safety concerns.
Displays are permitted to be erected beginning Nov. 25 and stay up until Jan. 7.
This means the displays could be up when the town holds its annual treelighting ceremony Nov. 29 on the square.
Citing safety concerns from the Parks and Recreation Department over the ceremony, the selectmen considered moving the ceremony to the Municipal Center lawn or preventing the displays from being erected until after the ceremony.
But tradition prevailed again.
“It’s too soon to change things that rapidly in town,” Szatkowski said. “I would prefer to see the tree lighting in P.T. Barnum Square.”
Knickerbocker said he plans to talk to the Parks and Recreation Department
about safety measures.
The town developed the new policy after contention last year over an atheist banner that was proposed for the square.
The banner was initially rejected because the application missed required information, sparking outrage from an atheist organization that called for Bethel to rescind its approval of the creche. The American Atheists Legal Center had criticized the town for its lack of a policy.
The banner was eventually approved and erected near the creche last year.