Bethel to Review Applications for 5 Holiday Displays Tuesday

BETHEL, CT — The Board of Selectmen will review applications from five groups who want to occupy the coveted and limited space on P.T. Barnum Square this holiday season, the News-Times is reporting.

According to a new policy codified by the selectmen in August, all applications would be considered regardless of religion, or absence of any religion, but applicants would be entered into a lottery if there was not enough space to accommodate all the displays.

Applications for three displays in addition to the traditional Christmas creche and the controversial atheist banner that was added to the town square display last year have been submitted to the Town. One is for a 6-foot menorah purchased by Bethel resident Bill Hillman, another is for a banner that reads simply "Peace," and the third application is for a banner that says "HumanLight," the name of a secular humanist holiday first celebrated in 2001.

The selectmen’s special town meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Room A of the municipal center.