Downtown BID chair Sara Wheelwright spoke at committee, saying the benches are locations to which police and fire have repeatedly responded. Fenton House called it a “borderline cruel band aid policy of bench removal.” Nor is it expected to resolve public disorder, sanitation concerns, vandalism or perceptions of reduced safety downtown,” the report reads. According to the report, bench removal would be expected to cost the city $6,000, with $5,000 for monitoring of the spaces. Letters of concernAmong the two dozen letters written to the city, Thea Novotny pointed out that for some people facing homelessness, a city bench may be the only opportunity for rest.