Trees to Come Down, War Memorial Could Break Ground in May

A public hearing later this month will begin the process to build the new Wenham War Memorial on the car barn lot in the center of town.

In order for the memorial to be built, the 12 white pine trees along the edge of the car barn lot - at Arbor and Main streets - will need to be taken down. A public hearing needs to be held before that can be done because the trees are "public shade trees." The hearing is scheduled for March 19 at 7 p.m. at Wenham Town Hall.

Dodge Tree Service has donated its time and equipment to remove the trees and the company prefers to take them down now versus later in the busy summer season, said Bruce Blanchard, a member of the Wenham War Memorial Committee.

Meanwhile, fundraising for the project continues, with about $32,000 more needed to meet the $200,000 goal.

"People have been very generous, but we need a little more," Blanchard said.

Blanchard said that if the goal is met by May 1, bids could be sought in May and construction after that.

"We hope to have the rest of the money around May 1, go out to bid around the middle to end of May, and start construction this summer," Blanchard said. "All is dependent upon raising the rest of the money."

The design and location has been approved by Town Meeting after months of wrangling over the design. Since then the committee has been working to privately raise money and confirming the names that will go on the memorial's plaques.

The memorial needed a new home after a previous version was removed as part of the rennovation of Wenham Town Hall.