Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Memorials And Public Works topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Daughters of the American Revolution donates bench for Norton Cemetery; city to install foundation
Summary
Members of the Cuyahoga-Portage chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution told Norton City Council they will donate a black granite bench to Norton Cemetery to honor Revolutionary War soldiers; the chapter will pay for the bench and the city’s street department will install the concrete foundation.
The Cuyahoga-Portage chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution told Norton City Council on June 2 that it will donate a black-granite bench for Norton Center Cemetery to commemorate Revolutionary War soldiers and mark the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.
The donation will be installed by the city. Stephanie Byra Wims, who identified herself as a lifelong Norton resident and chapter member, said the chapter has asked Summit Memorial to create a 48-by-24-inch black-granite bench and will pay all costs for the bench itself. "We would like to have a dedication in October of 2026," Wims said during public comment.
City staff and council discussed installation logistics. Judy Foster, who spoke after Wims, said the bench requires a slab foundation and a four-inch “fringe” around the base so lawn equipment will not disturb it. The street department agreed to install the foundation; council members identified Street Department Manager Larry Hess as the point person to coordinate installation. Parks-board representation was asked to place the item on the parks board agenda for siting and timing.
Council also presented a resolution of appreciation recognizing the chapter’s donation; the resolution text acknowledging the gift was read aloud and signed by council members during the meeting.
City staff and the chapter said they expect installation planning to proceed over the coming months and that installation might not be completed until late summer 2026 depending on scheduling. Council members asked the chapter and the parks board to coordinate site selection so the bench will be “well seen and well received.”
The donation and planned dedication are private gifts to the cemetery; Wims said the chapter will cover the bench cost and asked the city to provide the foundation and placement.
Details clarified at the meeting: the bench is black granite, 48 by 24 inches, produced by Summit Memorial; the chapter will pay for the bench and the city’s street department will place the required concrete slab per the specifications discussed at the meeting. The parks board will decide the final location.
Council did not take a formal vote related to acceptance beyond presenting the council’s resolution of appreciation and arranging staff coordination for installation.
