The Bethel Board of Selectmen has formed an advisory committee for P.T. Barnum Square holiday displays.  The Committee is made up of no more than ten people, all of whom volunteered ahead of the Selectmen's meeting.  7 or 8 people signed up and First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says he didn't want anyone to feel left out. 

This stems from an uproar over the decision to allow a new nativity scene and a holiday banner from an atheist group to be displayed at P.T. Barnum Square.  There is no written policy of regulations for displays, just a history of past practices. 

Temporary guidelines were adopted last year stating that a holiday display cannot defame or attack another religion or person, cannot be excessively large so that it hinders public safety, must be sponsored by local residents or organizations, be positive in nature and can be religious or secular. 

The committee will begin work immediately and be dissolve by June 1st. 

The Town Attorney will be tasked with coming up with a list of questions for the committee to address.  Those questions include if displays should be allowed there, how many and under what conditions would the property be considered too crowded.  They will also look into other venues and what those locations would be. 

Selectman Paul Szatkowski suggested the policy be similar to how the town operates Bennett Park.  Once a date is selected, it's confirmed for that period of time and no one else can reserve the spot. 

Selectman Rich Straiton doesn't think there should be any displays on public property.  The Board members joked that there was bipartisan support for not having political lawn signs be allowed on public property.  Straiton also raised safety concerned with the Christmas Tree lighting at P.T. Barnum Square.  He says people don't realize how big the fire truck is when everyone is crowded around.  He suggested getting a tree to plant on the municipal center lawn for future years.