JAY – Who is the town’s oldest resident?

That’s what town officials want to know. They’d like to reinstitute the presentation of the Boston Post Cane to the oldest person in town.

The town’s original cane has been put away for preservation of its historical value. Over the years, it has either been lost or heirs were reluctant to return the cane to the town, Town Manager Ruth Marden said.

She suggested a replica be made up to continue the tradition.

Selectman Parker Kinney, a wood craftsman, told fellow selectmen that he would be willing at no cost to the town, to make a replica of the cane to give to the oldest person. A small brass plaque could also be made up to replicate the wording on the cane and be attached to it. Kinney said he would also be willing to make additional replicas.

Marden said different towns are handling preserving the original cane in different ways. The cane is one of 431 made in 1909 and distributed to towns as advertising for the Boston Post newspaper. The canes were to be presented originally to the oldest male resident in each town. Some are having replicas made and giving them to residents while others continue to give out the original, she said.

“I think it’s kind of sad to stop the tradition,” Marden said. “If I live to be 105, I hope somebody recognizes me.”

Traditionally the oldest person of the town receives the cane from the chairman of the Board of Selectman, Marden said.

Selectman Rick Simoneau said the tradition is a “good thing.”

“I like the idea of giving it to them and then to their heirs,” he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com