Westerly committee approves Class of 1975 gift to mount peace sign on Westerly High bell tower

The Westerly School Committee voted May 7 to accept a gift from the Westerly High School Class of 1975 to install a peace sign on the school’s bell/horn tower.

Paul Asanaro, a member of the Class of 1975 and a registered architect, presented the proposal and said, “My name is Paul Asanaro. I’m a registered architect.” He described a 33‑inch stainless‑steel cutout peace sign, three inches in cross‑section, made of marine‑grade 304 stainless steel, and said his class donated professional services and had received local fabrication bids. Asanaro told the committee the lowest local fabrication bid to cut the piece was $1,375 and that with welding and mounting the total would be about $1,600; his class planned to donate the professional work.

Committee members asked that the project be reviewed by the Building Subcommittee and by facilities staff because the sign would be a permanent fixture on district property. A committee member noted the tower’s existing mechanical equipment and that some obsolete cabling and devices could be removed as part of the work. The assistant noted that the district has custody and control of the building and therefore the School Committee must approve permanent installations.

Chairing members took a roll‑call style poll vote on the donation. Committee members voiced support and the chair declared the motion passed; one member recorded reservations about approving a permanent fixture without prior subcommittee review but voted in favor. The committee asked district staff and the Building Subcommittee to review installation logistics and anchors before work begins.

Ending: The donor said the class hoped to have the installation in place for graduation; the committee approved the donation and requested follow‑up review by the Building Subcommittee and facilities staff before physical work begins.