9-11 memorial funds approved

Municipal approves bond ordinance for Remembrance Fountain.

By: Joseph Harvie
   The Township Council unanimously approved a bond ordinance Dec. 14 allowing it to borrow up to $250,000 for the design and construction of a new 9-11 memorial to be built outside the municipal building.
   However, council members said they hope to not have to use the money.
   Township Manager Matt Watkins said Dec. 15 that the township shouldn’t have to use the money because the memorial is expected to be paid for through donations.
   "It authorizes us to borrow if we needed the money," Mr. Watkins said. "We needed to comply with the law so we can contract the job out."
   Mr. Watkins said the township plans on beginning the fund raising in January. He had said in November that the fund raising will last until April.
   The bond will be $237,500 after the township makes a $12,500 down payment, which is required by local bond law.
   The Remembrance Fountain was selected by the Township Council on Nov. 9 after an artist’s rendering of the design was displayed in the main lobby of the municipal building, where residents had a chance to make comments on it and other pieces being considered for the memorial.
   The sculpture will be built outside the municipal complex, to the left of the main entrance when facing the building.
   The piece was one of 28 submissions made by artists, sculptors and landscape designers. The South Brunswick Commission on the Arts was seeking ideas for a memorial to recognize the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and their impact on South Brunswick, which lost three residents to the terrorist attacks.
   The Remembrance Fountain is a modern, geometric work made of three interlocking pieces of granite. The pieces are meant to represent the three South Brunswick residents killed in the attacks. According to the artist’s submission, "The forms are intertwined in unity and remembrance."
   The artist of the fountain is Amado Batour of Somerset. According to the artists rendering the reflecting pool is meant to represent the community.
   Three benches will be placed around the sculpture, one for each of the victims from South Brunswick.
   Mr. Watkins had said that $50,000 already has been pledged from corporations that are sponsoring the three benches. Community members can purchase commemorative bricks, which will create a walkway leading up to the sculpture, for $100 each.
   The sculpture and site should be completed in August and the dedication will take place on Sept. 11, 2005.