Beautification Commission Special Meeting
Wednesday April 4, 2012
PRESENT: Pat Byrnes; Marylee Hickey; Dolores Kehoe; Mary Mourey; Betty Russell; Tony Russo; Pat Sirois.
Also Present: Tim Bockus, Director/Public Works
Ted Fravel, Director/Parks and Recreation.
Absent: Diane Carlucci; Elaine Dube (excused).
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Sirois called the special meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 5:35 p.m.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2012
Dolores Kehoe made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 1, 2012 meeting.
Seconded by Pat Byrnes. Approved.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO SPEAK: None.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Mary Mourey reported that the General Fund balance is $6435.58. Remembrance Fund balance is $520.96.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Chair Sirois received the following communication:
- Arbor Day Foundation
CHAIR'S REPORT:
Chair Sirois introduced Ted Fravel, Director/Parks and Recreation. Ted reported that he had the same position in the town of Newington and is looking forward to working in East Hartford.
Chair Sirois reported that she heard that Commissioner Diane Carlucci has moved out of East Hartford. Chair Sirois emailed Diane and it is confirmed. Chair Sirois requested Diane Carlucci to submit a letter of resignation.
Chair Sirois reported that she had attended two meetings on behalf of the Beautification Commission. She attended the MDC Clean Water Project meeting and the presentation was clean water and the quality of water.
Chair Sirois also attended a Main Street Momentum meeting. She turned the report over to Tim Bockus to give the Commissioners some background on this committee. Tim Bockus reported that this committee is made up of downtown merchants as well as Mayor Marcia LeClerc. Mayor LeClerc is striving to have the downtown area cleaned up and the grant the town received will afford East Hartford to have new benches installed, as well as trash receptacles and bike racks on Main Street. Chair Sirois did speak with the downtown merchants about HolidayFest.
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT:
Tim Bockus distributed and discussed the report for March 2012.
Tim Bockus further reported that there was a meeting with the Garden Club members, as well as Chair Sirois and Tony Russo, at the Oak/Hills street area. The Garden Club will be replacing the Bradford Pear trees with the grant received from Coca-Cola.
Chair Sirois commended Tim Bockus and his crew for the effort on weeding Main Street medians. She stated how much better the medians look. Tim Bockus reported that Park and Recreation Maintenance is now under the direction of the Public Works department.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Arbor Day
Arbor Day is being celebrated at Hockanum School on Friday, April 27 at 9:30 a.m. Tony Russo met with Principal Lisa Beauchamp and a pink Dogwood and Mountain Laurel will be planted on the grounds.
B. Spring Plantings
Tony Russo met with Mayor LeClerc to discuss the types of flowers and plantings that will be placed in the barrels. Various colors will be used this year. He will purchase the items at Botticello’s and Woodland Gardens.
Dolores Kehoe made a motion to spend up to $4000 for spring plantings. Seconded by Mary Mourey. Approved.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Election of Officers
- Chair
- Vice Chair
- Financial Liaison
Dolores Kehoe made a motion to continue with the same slate of officers. Seconded by Betty Russell. Approved.
The Clerk casted one vote for Pat Sirois as Chairperson.
The Clerk casted one vote for Marylee Hickey as Vice Chairperson.
The Clerk casted one vote for Mary Mourey as Financial Liaison.
OTHER BUSINESS: None at this time.
CONCERNS OF THE COMMISSION:
Dolores Kehoe discussed the meeting start time and discussion was held.
Delores Kehoe made a motion to change the Beautification Commission meeting time from 7:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month the Commission meets. Seconded by Mary Mourey. Approved. (The clerk will file the paperwork with the Town Clerk.)
Commissioners brought up issues:
Brewer Street (opposite St. Christopher) – owner has a canopy structure in the yard. Motorcycles in the front yard for sale.
189 Long Hill Drive – vehicle is continually parked on the front lawn.
The clerk will inform the Department of Zoning and Permits.
PAYMENT OF BILLS:
Theresa Godreau (clerk) $ 75.00
Custom Printing $ 98.31
Mary Mourey made a motion to pay the bills as submitted. Seconded by Betty Russell. Approved.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mary Mourey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Seconded by Marylee Hickey. Approved.
The next meeting of the Commission will be May 3, 2012 in Building Department Conference Room at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Godreau, Clerk
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