Speeches were made and children with scissors helped with the ribbon cutting to celebrate the new solar panels on Mark Twain Library's roof. First Selectman Natalie Ketcham was misty eyed afterward. Participating in the event was one of her last acts as Redding's top executive after a 14-year run.
"It's definitely hard to make a transition from running the town to being somebody who is very interested, but not in charge," said Ketcham, who had decided not to run for reelection this year. "But I have optimism for the future and am enjoying spending part of my last day at Mark Twain Library."
During the ceremony, Robert Morton, the former president of the library's board of directors, praised Ketcham for her support of the library over the years. During her tenure the annual grant the town gives to fund the non-profit rose from 50% of the library's budget to 63%.
"She is truly a friend," Morton said. "Natalie has put her boots on the ground as a volunteer. She was a cashier at our book fair and poured wine and champagne at the art show."
A decade ago, Ketcham said the Board of Selectman discussed whether or not to increase funding for the library after the annual grant had been stagnant for years. The board decided to support an increase and Mark Twain Library has flourished ever since.
"Mark Twain Library has become a hub of our cultural world in this town," Ketcham said. "I'm proud of that and I'm proud of this community."
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