By Grant Welker Lowell Sun
CHELMSFORD, MA — Construction could begin within weeks on a September 11 memorial outside the new central fire station next to Town Hall.
The goal for the memorial is to have a dedication in time for the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, said firefighter Donnie Peterson, who is leading efforts to get the memorial built.
Donations have hit about $12,000, including a $5,000 check presented last month by Enterprise Bank. Planners expect to spend about $20,000 for the memorial, with as much as another $10,000 to keep up with maintenance each year.
“A lot of people have stepped up,” Peterson said this week, adding that many people and companies have offered assistance as well.
Enterprise Bank CEO Jack Clancy said he was honored to present the donation, which was given at a Board of Selectmen meeting last month.
“There were a lot of victims and a lot of heroes, including the firefighters,” Clancy said.
“It’s going to be huge in getting our goal of getting this done,” Peterson said at the meeting.
The memorial is planned to include benches, flags and a 9-foot-high replica of the World Trade Center’s twin towers. Firefighters are hoping to get a piece of steel from the World Trade Center to include, as well.
The memorial will be built in an area between Town Hall and the front driveway of the fire station. The $6.3 million station is expected to be completed this fall.
Chelmsford resident David Bernard was killed in the attacks. He was on his way to a meeting at the IRS offices at 7 World Trade Center when the first plane hit the first tower. He was hit by falling debris and died of his injuries three months later.
Andrew Curry Green, a former Chelmsford resident, was returning home to California aboard American Airlines Flight 11.
One bench will be dedicated to Bernard, and the other to Green.
