Town leaders want to hear residents’ opinions on the Christopher Columbus statue in front of the John Weichsel Municipal Center at a public hearing next month. Chris Palmieri, a Democrat and Town Council minority leader, suggested the public hearing. His idea was unanimously approved Monday night by the council, which has a Republican majority.

“We’ve received a lot of communication from the public. It’s not unique to our community,” Palmieri said. “I think it’s important to offer the public an opportunity to speak for or against the statue.” Councilors said they prefer not to vote on the statue on the night of the public hearing, scheduled for July 13 at 7 p.m. Michael DelSanto, a council Republican, said he’d like to just “listen, learn and digest” without taking action that night.