Town wants chaplain to pack up Newtown memorial

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The healing process has been a tough one in Newtown, but now there is some disagreement as to what the next steps should be.

A temporary memorial with a full-time chaplain is still operating off Interstate 84. The town says it's time to pack up.

A pure white tent sits off the interstate in Newtown filled with colorful toys, cards, and well wishes sent in from all over the world for the families coping with loss.

"I had one of the fathers come in and ask how long we're going to be here and I said 'I don't know as long as there is a need,'" said Chaplain Renee Gilbert, Calvary Chapel of Southbury. "He said 'oh good' my sons still here then."

Organizers say Chaplain Gilbert counsels to more than 100 during the week, and 400 to 500 on the weekends.

"We're not here to cause division. We're not here to cause problems," said Chaplain Gilbert. "We just know that this is necessary, that this is too soon for people to come grieve."

It started with a flag and a chaplain the Saturday after the tragedy, and they're operating on private property.

"With private property, people need permits to have temporary events and as I've told you we've already taken up the other temporary memorials in town and it's time," said George Benson.

Newtown's Director of Planning and Land Use George Benson says they already have a permanent memorial at the Fire Station and plans are in the works for others. Also, they offer free counseling at different centers in the town.

"We felt that it was a good cause, but there's a time to end things," said Benson, "and we hate to do it, but we feel that it's something we have to do."

He says they appreciate Gilbert's work and hope they continue, but somewhere else.

"We don't like to do these things, but we have a time to do certain things and I think the time has come," Benson said.

"The need is definitely there, but how long, who's to say," said Chaplain Gilbert. "One person grieves different than another person."

They have given them a Tuesday deadline, but they're hoping to talk this out before then and work it out before any drastic steps are taken.