Cat and Dog Fountain: What's New?

by Kate Fletcher

While the Cat and Dog have been off-site for work on a mold and recasting, town employees Hugh Page, Mike Buffoni and Tony Campetti have been busy in the past two weeks preparing the fountain basin site. It became clear in the spring when we dug down along the side of the basin that crumbling brick was all that likely supported the basin. We had hoped to find something better in place, but the deteriorated brick support probably explains the cracked basin that has not held water for many years.

The Fountain Committee next worked under the excellent direction of Dana Bixby Architecture who worked with Hugh and Mike to arrive at a plan for the basin. Much has been done to prepare the site for a new basin that will be poured next spring — the old concrete basin was removed along with the brick cobble, wooden molds have been built and filled with concrete to support the fountain and capstones. The Fountain Committee extends its sincere gratitude to Hugh, Mike and Tony for their dedication and work on this project — it was a pleasure to see their evident care for the Town's beloved Cat and Dog Fountain.

Editor's Note: The Fountain Committee also includes Kate Fletcher, Carl Sprague, Bob Jones and GeGe Kingston

Completed forms for the basin foundation built by Hugh Page. Photo: Mike Buffoni