Beautification Commission Meeting
Thursday April 4, 2013
Present: Elaine Dube; Dolores Kehoe; Lee Ann Manning; Mary Mourey; Tony Russo;
Pat Sirois.
Also Present: Tim Bockus, Director/Public Works
Ted Fravel, Director/Parks and Recreation
Greg Grew, Director/Inspection and Permits
Absent: Pat Byrnes (excused); Marylee Hickey; Betty Russell (excused).
Call to order:
Chair Sirois called the meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 5:30 p.m.
Acceptance of minutes of march 7, 2013
Mary Mourey made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 7, 2013 meeting.
Seconded by Elaine Dube. Approved.
Opportunity for citizens to speak.
None at this time.
Financial Report:
Mary Mourey reported there is $6149.84 in the General Budget. Remembrance Fund $520.96.
Communications:
Chair Sirois received the following communication:
- Earth Day information
- Copy of letter to Chris Donnelly (invitation to Arbor Day)
- Carrot Top Industries (banners/flags)
Chair's report
Chair Sirois reported on the following:
- Beautification Book has been redone and is located in the hallway of the Council Chambers
- Clean-up day on the 27th of April - various areas in town
- Letter from Mayor LeClerc requesting that Betty Russell be sworn in as a member of the Beautification Commission
Discussion was held on the Remembrance Fund note cards. Chair Sirois stated she only has 10 in the inventory.
MOTION By Mary Mourey
Seconded by Lee Ann Manning
To have Remembrance Fund Cards printed.
Approved.
Concerns of the Commission
The following concerns were discussed:
- Brandon Road – sticks at curb-side, trailer
- Salem Road – branches
- Olde Roberts Road – massive clutter in yard
- Burnham Street – foreclosure, questioning yard
Tree Warden's RePORT
Tim Bockus reported on the various activity the past month:
- Zebulon/Daniel Streets – town owned tree, removal
- 62 Margery Drive- pine trees, owned by property owner
- 60 Rolling Meadows – limbs near sidewalk, owned by property owner
- 852 Tolland Street – Silver Maple Trees, town owned for pruning
- 310 Silver Lane – sink hole, rear of property, stumps buried
- 40 Old Roberts Street – town owned maple tree, limbs falling, pruning
Tim Bockus further stated that MDC and Riverfront Recapture will be removing distressed trees on the riverfront.
A draft of the RFP for the America the Beautiful Grant will be going out to bid with the next 2-3 weeks. This RFP is for a company to do the tree inventory in town.
Tim Bockus received a letter from Chris Donnolly thanking him for the invitation to the Arbor Day event. Although he may not attend, he will send a representative from the DEP. Further he received notification that East Hartford has been named Tree City USA.
Old BUsiness:
Commissioners have received their invitation in the mail for April 26 at Norris School.
Tony Russo reported that impatiens, petunias and potato plants have been ordered for the barrels. He further reported the barrels have been painted
Tim Bockus recommended the following areas be considered for Memorial Groves:
McAuliffe Park
Gorman Park
Hilltop (Veteran’s Memorial Clubhouse)
Further, Tim recommended placing a plaque in the ground to dedicate an existing tree.
One concern Tim Bockus has was being sure the proper type of tree is planted to alleviate maintenance concerns.
New BusineSS
Chair Sirois heard from Florence Schroeter of the Fine Arts Commission. Paul Bisaccia will be performing with a vocalist for Holiday Fest on Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church.
OTHER BUSINESS
April 27, 2013 – Town-wide Clean Up Day in East Hartford
June 1 – Clean-up of Hockanum Linear Park (behind Town Hall) sponsored by Park and Recreation, Public Works and Youth Services.
Mary Mourey reported that a home on Burnside Avenue has been renovated and a painting business will be housed there. She wanted to make sure the Commission considers this for a Beautification Award.
Payment of Bills:
Theresa Godreau $ 75.00
Tony Russo made a motion to pay the bills as submitted. Seconded by Mary Mourey. Approved.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Elaine Dube made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:19 p.m. Seconded by Dolores Kehoe . Approved.
The next meeting of the Commission will be on May 2, 2013 in Building Department Conference Room at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Godreau, Clerk
| 
