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Vermont to remember man who took his life fighting progress

October 28, 2019 GMT

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A car merges from an on ramp onto Interstate 91 on Monday Oct. 28, 2019, in Ascutney, Vt. The interstate runs on land that once belonged to Romaine Tenney's farm, that was seized in 1964 to make way for the interstate highway. Tenney burned his barn and his home, with him inside. (AP Photo/Wilson Ring)

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ASCUTNEY, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Agency of Transportation is asking the public for ideas for a permanent memorial to an Ascutney farmer who took his life after his farm was seized to make way for the construction of Interstate 91.

A maple tree that has stood on what was once Romaine Tenney’s farm is dying and will be removed.

Officials say the tree is a reminder of the impact the construction of the interstate system had on Vermont.

Tenney refused to sell his farm as the interstate was being built. It was taken through eminent domain. After his farm was seized in 1964, he barricaded himself inside his farmhouse and burned it, and his barns, to the ground with him inside.

A meeting is scheduled for Oct. 29 at the Ascutney fire station.