East Haven Boy Scout Matthew Massimino took on a literally monumental project this summer to qualify for Eagle Scout ranking: He organized the refurbishment of the Memorial Cannon on the East Haven Town Green.

The Memorial Cannon, which honors East Haven residents who died during the American Revolution and the Civil War, was originally dedicated in 1911 and then rededicated by the East Haven Historical Society and Economic Development Commission in 1990. After more than a 25 years since its last overhaul, there were some opportunities for upkeep.

Massimino, a member of Troop 408, approached Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., last winter seeking permission to refurbish the cannon and the plaques listing the East Haven soldiers who died at war.

Accoridng to a release from the Mayor’s Office, once the project gained approval from Maturo and with the appropriate acceptance of the town’s Public Services Union Local 119, Massimino approached the East Haven Historical Society, which refurbished the piece in 1990, to ensure the job would be done with the society’s input and expertise.

Massimino enlisted George Miller of AAIS, who volunteered to remove the lead paint from the cannon. Massimino and his fellow scouts and additional volunteers painted the cannon and cleaned and patched the concrete base. Mike Nolan of Nolan’s Monuments joined Massimino’s project, sandblasting and repainted the two plaques listing the East Haven men who gave their lives.

The project took a total of 119 man hours. The town celebrated the project’s completion with a ceremony on Aug. 25 attended by Maturo, representatives of the Historical Society, and volunteers who assisted Massimino.

Massimino thanked his Troop 408 Scoutmaster Bruce Anderson, Chris Anderson of Eagle Scout Troop 408, and Andrew McGovern, Jakob Zito, Greg Mastriano, and Diana Kalman, who all worked with him on this venture.