Beautification Commission Meeting
Thursday October 4, 2012
Present: Elaine Dube; Marylee Hickey; Dolores Kehoe; Lee Ann Manning;
Mary Mourey; Betty Russell; 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).
Call to order:
Chair Sirois called the meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 5:30 p.m.
Acceptance of minutes of August 2, 2012
Marylee Hickey made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 2, 2012 meeting.
Seconded by Betty Russell. Approved.
Discussion was held in reference to holding an Informational Meeting when there is not a quorum. The clerk will investigate this issue.
Opportunity for citizens to speak: None.
Financial Report
Mary Mourey reported there is $7895.78 in the General Budget. $520.96 in the Remembrance Fund.
Communications:
- Arbor Day Foundation information
Chair's report
Chair Sirois will be reporting under Holiday Fest.
Tree Warden's RePORT
Tim Bockus reported on the following topics:
- He will be submitting the Tree City Application by December 31, 2012
- An “America the Beautiful Grant” was received for $7050 by the town to do tree inventory as well as downtown management. This is a matching grant with the town and will be presented to the Town Council for approval.
- There is a “Garden and Green Spaces Grant” which the town will be applying for with a potential $25,000 award. This grant will consist of management of downtown tree scapes and begin work on the Kilty property on Ellington Road which is owned by the town. Looking into various low maintenance programs for the property if the grant is awarded.
- Various wind storm damage clean-up
- Tree issues in town :
maintenance on McKee/Main Street
Brentmoor Road – property line with Sunset Ridge School, owner working with school department to remove trees
Private property tree issues
Removal of trees on Raymond Library parking lot property (3)
Kenney Cove/Naubuc – grasses median – 3 Bradford Pear trees removed, looking into planting appropriate trees in area
- Levee Improvement Project
Restoration of timber bulkhead with steel sheeting
Founders Bridge south 400’ tree removal (required by project), Tim has contacted Riverfront Recapture and MDC in reference to this project. He will be holding a public hearing.
Tim Bockus announced that his department has purchased a new wood chipper.
Old BUsiness:
Chair Sirios met with Ted Fravel and Christine Vincent in reference to the 2012 brochure and printing of brochure.
Further Chair Sirois went to Custom Printing for graphic recommendations for the Holiday Fest theme. It was decided by the Commission that the snowman with the tree (#2) will be used this year.
Chair Sirois has been confirming last years scheduled events for the 2012 Holiday Fest.
Chair Sirois met with Maura Callahan of Goodwin College. This will be the 20th year celebration of Holiday Fest and the Commission is planning a Kick-off Celebration on November 15 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Goodwin College has agreed for the Commission to use the facility for the kick-off. The Chamber of Commerce has agreed to supply the food totaling $328. Much discussion was held on the Goodwin College facility because of the concern of having food, beverage brought in.
The Chamber of Commerce recommended the Polaris Center on School Street. This facility has a culinary program to supply the food as well as a prep area, etc. Chair Sirois and Lee Ann Manning will contact the Polaris Center for availability.
Motion By Tony Russo
Seconded by Dolores Kehoe
To use funding from the Special Events line item for liquid refreshments (soda, coffee, etc.) for Holiday Fest Kick-off.
Approved.
Motion By Mary Mourey
Seconded by Elaine Dube
To use funding from the Special Events line item to pay Park and Rec for various supplies needed for Holiday Fest.
Approved.
Motion By Mary Mourey
Seconded by Tony Russo
To encumber $500 to Plant and Garden World for Holiday Fest expenditures.
Approved.
Marylee Hickey has agreed to purchase the candy canes. Chair Sirois will purchase the gifts, etc.
Marylee Hickey will do the lettering for the Town Green Kiosk.
Tim Bockus will report on this next month.
New BusineSS
None at this time.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ted Fravel announced the Park and Recreation Department will be sponsoring a town-wide winter yard decorating contest.
Discussion was held on the barrels this summer and how well they looked. Tony Russo stated that much maintenance was used to keep the flowers in the barrels well-watered, weeded, etc. Commissioners agreed that the choice of flowers was a lovely combination and the department did a wonderful job.
Tony Russo stated that mums have been planted in focal points around town.
Discussion was held on the new benches, trash receptacles in the downtown area.
Ted Fravel distributed a flyer announcing an auction of the Haunted House items that were used when sponsored by Park and Rec. They will be contacting Six Flags and Lake Compounce to see if there is interest in purchasing items for sale.
Concerns of the Commission
The following concerns:
- Long Hill – lights are still out
Tim Bockus reported that the lights need to be energized by CL&P
- Harvest Lane – boarded windows now painted the color of the house
- O’Connell Drive – brush on curbing
- 32-36 Church Street – trash receptacles always in front of house
- 95 O’Connell Drive – car on blocks (hill)
- 1841 Main Street – mattress on tree belt
- 119 Crescent – trap rock
- 112 Handel St. – boat in yard, tarps, cars
The clerk will forward the concerns to Greg Grew and Tim Bockus.
Payment of Bills:
Theresa Godreau (clerk) (September-no quorum) $ 75.00
Theresa Godreau (clerk) $ 75.00
Lee Ann Manning made a motion to pay the bills as submitted. Seconded by Betty Russell. Approved.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Lee Ann Manning made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:57p.m. Seconded by Elaine Dube. Approved.
The next meeting of the Commission will be November 1, 2012 in Building Department Conference Room at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Godreau, Clerk
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