The Board of Selectmen (BOS) has approved the formation of an advisory Human Rights Commission, to “promote mutual understanding and respect” as part of the town government, under the supervision of the board. The commission was created following a public hearing on Feb. 4.

The commission had to go to public hearing because it requires an ordinance amendment to the Code of the Town of Guilford.

According to the ordinance, “The purpose of the Human Rights Commission is to promote mutual understanding and respect within the Town of Guilford among all racial, religious, ethnic, and other groups, and among individuals of differing genders, sexual orientations, ages, and abilities, in a manner not inconsistent with state and federal statutes and regulations.” The commission is under the general supervision of the BOS and would recommend to the board any programs, projects, or activities it deemed important. It has advisory power only.

The exact language of the ordinance can be found with this story online or at the Town Clerk’s Office.

Residents April D’Amato, Judith Keogh, and Clarice Yasuhara came before the board in May 2018 as representatives of the Guilford Human Rights Advocates (GHRA) asking for the formation of a commission. According to the proposed commission language, the movement for a formal commission came after the destruction of the Roses for Autism garden, incidents of racist graffiti, and damage or destruction of many “Welcome Neighbor” lawn signs last year.

Nearly a dozen supporters of the commission attended the public hearing. Resident Kathryn Westgard said this commission is a good way to help everyone in town feel safe and included.

“This past year we have experienced quite a sadness and the unity that has been expressed in this community for a family, it’s just breathtaking,” she said. “I would hope that everyone in our community would feel that kind of unity. So what better than taking up a title of a human rights commission as something that Guilford is proud to say they have?”

Resident Frank Walsh said he was one of the many who had his “Welcome Neighbor” sign slashed in the past. He said he was concerned at the time that the act was treated as vandalism and not a hate crime and hopes the commission can help educate more people.

“I was one of the many people who had welcome neighbor signs on their lawns and mine was one of the ones that was slashed,” he said. “It wasn’t a reflection of the values of Guilford, but it did set off a bit of an alarm in my head that there is an element out there that thinks that maybe they can get away with it. I am whole-heartedly in support of the commission that would at least establish where Guilford stands, on the right side of accepting neighbors, whatever they look like. “

Selectmen all spoke in favor of the proposal. Selectman Charlie Havrda said in general, he doesn’t like to grow government, but said this is an important exception.

“This is the type of situation where we have to formalize what Guilford stands for in my estimation,” he said. “The point made by Mr. Walsh, there is a difference between vandalism and hate and it is unfortunate that we are at the point in our town and country that we have to spell it out for people. It’s unfortunate, but this is very real and people have to understand that there are consequences if you do things that are more than just stupid.”

Selectman Lou Federici explained that the commission will focus on education, not enforcement, to promote acceptance and understanding.

“It’s not designed to suppress strong political opinions either way,” he said.