Beautification Commission
Thursday, February 2, 2012
PRESENT: Pat Byrnes; Elaine Dube; Marylee Hickey; Dolores Kehoe;
Mary Mourey; Pat Sirois.
Also Present: Tim Bockus, Director/Public Works
Absent: Diane Carlucci; Betty Russell (excused); Tony Russo (excused).
Guest: Mayor Marcia Leclerc
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Sirois called the meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 7:15 p.m.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2011
Dolores Kehoe made a motion to table the minutes of the November 3, 2011 meeting. Seconded by Pat Byrnes. Approved.
NOTE: There was not a November 3, 2011 meeting due to the winter storm.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO SPEAK:
At this time, Chair Sirois turned the meeting over to Mayor Leclerc. Discussion was held on the blight issue in town, as well as the dead growth in the town medians. Tim Bockus stated his department will work on the issue of the medians.
Mayor Leclerc stated there needs to be consistency in town with plantings. The Garden Club has agreed to do plantings in town but the major concern is the maintenance. Tim Bockus recommended that if the Garden Club does plantings on the DePietro property a sign should be erected stating the beds are being maintained by the Garden Club.
Mayor Leclerc informed the Commissioners that the YMCA will be doing a community garden this year as a test model in town. If it is successful, a community garden may be placed on the DePietro property.
Commissioners thanked Mayor Leclerc for attending the meeting and are pleased that she is in agreement with the Commission on plantings, maintenance etc.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Mary Mourey reported that the General Fund balance is $6710. Remembrance Fund balance is $520.96.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Chair Sirois received the following communication:
- Arbor Day Foundation dues
CHAIR'S REPORT:
Chair Sirois reported that she attended a Garden Club meeting and will be joining. Garden Club members will be invited to the March 1, 2012 meeting for discussion on plantings and the areas the Garden Club members should focus on. (A recommendation will be the Brewer House.)
Chair Sirois stated that she had heard from Judy Hillman, Librarian at Raymond Library. Judy wants to donate a tree to be planted in front of Raymond Library in memory of Sharon Jarish. A Dogwood Tree will be planted.
Chair Sirois further discussed promoting the Remembrance Fund. She will write an article to the Gazette informing citizens of the fund and how a tree can be planted in honor of or in memory of a loved one.
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT:
Tim Bockus distributed the report. He discussed the process of using local contractors for clean up and the hard work his department did to clean up the town in a timely manner. Commissioners thanked him and his staff for the excellent job.
Tim Bockus stated that the Tree City application has been submitted. Chair Sirois was concerned about the loss of trees during the winter storm. Mr. Bockus reassured her that the application also has an article for resources of tree needs.
Tim reported he has received his Tree Warden certification and has been named Director of Public Works. Commissioners congratulated him.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Holiday Fest
Chair Sirois reported the event was successful. She has written event sponsors informing them that this is the 20th year celebration for Holiday Fest which will be held December 7 – 10, 2012.
Chair Sirois met with Mayor LeClerc about the 20th year celebration and it was recommended that Holiday Fest have a kick off to begin the celebration. The kick off date is November 15, 2012. She will be contacting the Chamber of Commerce for assistance. It was further recommended that buttons be sold prior to the event, decorate the kiosk earlier and to try to get television coverage. Other recommendations were: working with Main Street merchants to decorate Main Street, have EHSYF Singing Carolers stroll down Main Street and contact the Friends of Center Cemetery to request that they work with the Commission on the Main Street during Holiday Fest.
B. Budget 2012-2013
Chair Sirois submitted the 2012-2013 budget. The Beautification Commission budget requested is $8100, a zero percent increase from the 2011-2012 budget.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Meeting Dates 2012
Mary Mourey made a motion to approve the Beautification Commission meeting dates for 2012. Seconded by Dolores Kehoe. Approved.
B. Arbor Day 2012
Chair Sirois received correspondence from Laura White, Department Head of Fine and Performing Arts, stating that Hockanum School will host Arbor Day 2012. It will be held on April 27, 2012 and the clerk will get the appropriate paperwork to the Principal, Lisa Beauchamp.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Chair Sirois and Mary Mourey did an inventory on Beautification Commission materials housed in the Registrar’s office. Materials are needed for buttons.
Pat Byrnes made a motion to purchase 6 bags of button parts for a total of $109.68. Seconded by Elaine Dube. Approved.
CONCERNS OF THE COMMISSION:
- Larrabee Street (in the beginning) resident removed the porches on the property but the scaffolding is still erect.
- Continued overnight parking on streets in the College streets area (Goodwin, Temple, Andover,etc.) as well as the Naubuc Avenue area
The clerk will email Greg Donato, Inspections and Permits, as well as Police Chief Sirois.
PAYMENT OF BILLS:
Theresa Godreau (clerk) $ 75.00
Arbor Day Foundation $ 15.00
Pat Byrnes made a motion to pay the bills as submitted. Seconded by Dolores Kehoe. Approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Marylee Hickey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. Seconded by Mary Mourey. Approved.
The next meeting of the Commission will be March 1, 2012 in Building Department Conference Room at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Godreau, Clerk
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