Beautification Commission
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Present: Pat Sirois; Helen Boardman; Pat Byrnes; Marylee Hickey; Dolores Kehoe;
Sue Kickery; Mary Mourey; Betty Russell.
Also Present: Bill Taylor, Director/Public Works
Absent: Tony Russo (excused);
Bonnie Nichols, Director/Inspections and Permits (excused);
Roger Moss, Director/Park and Recreation (excused).
Call to order:
Chair Sirois called the meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 7:15 p.m.
Acceptance of minutes of November 5, 2009
Mary Mourey made a motion to accept the minutes of the November 5, 2009 meeting. Seconded by Betty Russell .
Marylee Hickey corrected the minutes by stating the area of concern was Monroe Street not Brewer Street.
Approved as corrected (one abstention – Dolores Kehoe).
Opportunity for citizens to speak: No report at this time.
Financial Report:
Mary Mourey reported the general budget has a balance of $ 7027.07. Remembrance Fund balance is $520.96.
Communications:
Chair Sirois received the following correspondence:
- Letter from Sign Stop, company re-located to the former Pronto Printer, suggesting that town businesses maintain small areas of town. This was done in Norwalk. Chair Sirois will respond, thanking him for his recommendation.
- Received correspondence from Mayor Currey in reference to the process to submitting Commission minutes and agendas for posting on the website.
- Received correspondence from Mayor Currey reappointing Betty Russell to the Beautification Commission.
- Received correspondence from Mayor Currey thanking the Commission for their dedication in sponsoring Holiday Fest.
Chair's report:
Chair Sirois discussed an article in the paper in reference to painted window displays in Manchester during the holiday season. The theme was gingerbread houses. She will contact Emil Kopcha to request if this can be done during Holiday Fest by students.
Tree Warden's RePORT: No report
Old BUsiness:
A. Holiday Fest
Chair Sirois reported that $800.50 was given to the Fuel Bank from collections received during Holiday Fest. She stated all events were well received. Thank you notes were sent to the participants.
Mary Mourey reported that the wreaths are at the Park and Recreation Department. The clerk will pick them up for the Commission.
Mary Mourey recommended that next year an event grid be made and divided among the membership so all events are covered by a Commissioner. Some events are held too close in time causing difficulty for one Commissioner to attend both. It is important that there is a presence of the Beautification Commission at all events. This recommendation was well received and an event grid will be made up for the 2010 Holiday Fest.
Discussion was held on purchasing button parts (slugs) for the Holiday Fest buttons. Mary Mourey will contact the company as to the cost.
Dolores Kehoe made a motion to purchase button parts for the best price (500 vs 1000 pieces). Seconded by Betty Russell. Approved.
New Business
A. Election of Officers
Betty Russell made a motion to maintain the present officers as follows:
Chairperson Pat Sirois
Vice Chairperson Marylee Hickey
Finance Rep Mary Mourey
Seconded by Mary Mourey. Approved.
B. Arbor Day
Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 30, 2010. The school to host this event is Langford School. The clerk will contact the principal, Greg Fox, and forward him all the necessary information.
C. Budget 2010-2011
Chair Sirois reported that the budget was submitted. The Beautification Commission recommended the same amount as the 2009-10 fiscal year - $8100. Commission budgets will be presented to the Town Council on February 27, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.
D. Change of April 1, 2010 meeting date
Chair Sirois discussed the issue of member commitments for the evening of April 1, 2010 due to the religious holiday. It was decided that there would be a short agenda and the meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. Commissioners were in agreement.
Other Business
Discussion was held on the evergreen cuttings being placed in the barrels. Because of the late plantings in the barrels, this was not done. Sue Kickery recommended that Alberta Spruce trees be placed in the barrels in the spring with flowers around them. The Alberta Spruce would stay in the barrel during the winter. Dzen Tree Farm stated that have many evergreen cuttings from Christmas tree sales and the Commission is welcomed to come and get them. Discussion was held on making evergreen blankets with bows to put on the barrels. Further discussion will be held when Tony Russo is present.
Concerns of the Commission:
The following concerns were discussed:
- Monroe Street, toys on sidewalk, motorcycle in street with tarp on it, white sheet in front window
- Goodwin Street – soft on curb for one month
- Long Hill Drive (litter) behind store – (Park and Recreation responsibility)
- Burnside Avenue near Al Frescos
- Rte 2/Main Street Carter/Brewer Streets – litter (Public Works responsibility)
- Main Street median across from Pratt & Whitney
- Connecticut Boulevard area
Payment of Bills:
Theresa Godreau (clerk) $ 75.00
Marylee Hickey made the motion to pay the bills as submitted. Seconded by Pat Byrnes. Approved.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Betty Russell made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Seconded by Marylee Hickey. Approved.
The next meeting of the Commission will be March 4, 2010 in Building Department Conference Room at 7:15 p.m.
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