Cindy Germain, grandmother to the two girls, said they moved the collection of flowers, pictures, beanie babies and balloons to the family gravesite at Mt. Vernon Grove Cemetery two weeks ago at the request of the owner of 65 Main Street, Leonard Pearson.

"We were told to move it and we were very upset about it," Germain said.

This is the second time the memorial has moved from the site. The first time, last August, the items creating the makeshift memorial were unceremoniously and anonymously dumped in the trash.

Family Friend Mary Carlson and Germaine discovered the items in several trash bags at the back of the property, rescued them from disposal and placed them at Violet and Iris's grave.

Another memorial was started by town administrative assistants Geri Holland and Debbie White.

This time, at least, the family had some warning, Germain said, but still, the timing and tone could have been better.

This is the year that Violet would have entered first grade, Germain said, and Iris would have started kindergarten. Also, Tara and Heath Carey, who were in the apartment building when it exploded, trapping and killing their girls last June, are expecting a newborn son this month.

"If we didn't remove it (the memorial), then they were going to remove it," Germain said they were told through lawyers.

"Having that added to it didn't make us all feel better," she said.

Germain said she and the rest of the family recently learned that a memorial to the girls is planned for the new building Pearson intends to put on the site.

At the building inspector's office, Pearson has filed plans to build a four-family home in the same architectural style as the neighboring building. Street side plantings and a provision for some sort of memorial to the girls is also planned, said Building Inspector Mike Shepard.

The building, according to the plans, will have 1,600 square feet, a new alarm system and sprinklers. It is intended as an apartment house.

The contractor on the project is Britton Construction Co.

Germain said the family is planning to build their own memorial to the girls, but is waiting until the birth of her new grandson before concentrating on the work.

Until then, Germain said, they are trying to cope with the painful reminder of Iris and Violet's passing as they prepare to welcome the brother who'll only know his sisters through stories.