Photo From Selectwoman Theresa Conroy via Facebook
The gazebo at Chusetown Community Park. Vandals recently ripped down patriotic decorations, officials said.
SEYMOUR – Members of the Seymour Culture and Arts Commission are worried about the potential of vandalism marring a mural being created at the corner of Broad and South Main streets.
“We’ve been trying to come up with ideas to deter any potential vandalism,” said commission member Linda Bellavance. “We talked about putting cameras in at the corner but were told there’s no wi-fi there. We’d like to put in motion spotlights, likely solar ones, and aim them at the mural. Hopefully that would scare potential vandals away.”
Click this link for a separate story on the mural.
Bellavance made her comments at the June 17 meeting of the Seymour Board of Selectpersons. She said while a special coating will be applied to the mural to allow for easier graffiti removal, she’d like the town to take additional measures.
The conversation was prompted by recent vandalism at the nearby town gazebo at Chusetown Community Park. Vandals ripped down the patriotic decorations the commission placed inside and around the gazebo.
“The Culture and Arts Commission do so much for our town and it’s just disgusting how people want to go and destroy that,” said First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis.
Rob Dyer, the technology director for the town and the school district, talked about a surveillance system that could be installed but it could cost about $8,000.
Selectperson Trish Danka said cameras don’t always help.
“Having the lights in a public area is the important part,” Danka said. “We’ve had cameras in town catching people doing some nefarious things, but the quality was not good enough to see who’s doing the vandalism.”
Drugonis said she will work with the commission, the police and Dyer to determine the best vandalism-deterrent options for the area.
Seymour is not the only community dealing with vandalism. The newly refurbished Derby-Shelton Bridge has been hit with graffiti, and graffiti is a routine problem along the Derby Greenway along the Naugatuck River.
