Holiday Displays Back on Agenda for Bethel Officials

BETHEL, CT — The topic of holiday displays on public property is back on the selectmen's agenda Tuesday night. The discussion was postponed when first scheduled in July, and tabled again at their Aug. 6 meeting.

Bethel's recently-formed Religious Displays Committee approved of the town allowing the use of P.T. Barnum Square and other town property for winter holiday displays. It also recommended that, if the town receives new applications beyond a number that can be easily accommodated, all displays beyond the preexisting Christian and atheist displays be chosen by lottery.

That default does not sit well with some residents whose religious displays would be excluded under such a plan.

One of those is Bill Hillman, who told Patch he had plans for a large Hanukkah display in the works for two years, but didn't pull the trigger last year because of the initial controversy over the atheist display.

In an open letter to First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker distributed to media outlets today, Hillman wrote that he believes there is a groundswell of support for the six-foot menorah: "All the feedback I’ve received regarding the proposed addition of a menorah in the vicinity of the nativity scene has been positive, and with several electric outlets between the 'holiday tree' and the nativity, a small area to the side of the tree seems a great location, all things considered. "

The Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, in meeting in Room A of the municipal center.