Beautification Commission Meeting
Thursday June 6, 2013
Present: Pat Byrnes; Elaine Dube; Marylee Hickey; Dolores Kehoe; Mary Mourey;
Betty Russell;Pat Sirois. Tony Russo: excused.
Also Present: Tim Bockus, Director/Public Works
Ted Fravel, Director/Parks and Recreation
Greg Donato, Inspections and Permits
Call to order:
Chair Sirois called the meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 5:30 p.m.
Acceptance of minutes of May 2, 2013
Marylee Hickey made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 2, 2013 meeting.
Seconded by Pat Byrnes. Approved.
Opportunity for citizens to speak. None at this time.
Financial Report:
Mary Mourey reported a balance of $5869.94. She will be meeting Tony Russo to encumber the funds for the balance of the year. Remembrance Fund $520.96.
Communications:
Chair Sirois received the following correspondence:
- Resignation from Lee Ann Manning as a Commissioner
- Thank you letter from Dr. Orszulak for the Arbor Day event
- Arbor Day information
Chair's report
Chair Sirois contacted D’Esopo’s and Newkirk and Callahan funeral homes asking if they had any Memorial Cards in inventory. They replied none in inventory but would like some to have in place.
Cost is $193.55 cards/$20 (approximately) for envelopes.
Concerns of the Commission
The following concerns were discussed:
- Olde Roberts Street – wood pile
Greg Donato reported that the homeowner cleaned up non-wood items, but the home is heated with wood. He requested to keep the wood pile stacked neatly.
- Corner Handel Road/Maple Street – in foreclosure as of 5/18
- 31Salem Road – foreclosure
- Deepwood - vacant lot
- Corner of Burnside/William – front yard (Burnside) and side yard – garbage bags
- Cambridge Drive tree belt – mattresses
Tim Bockus reported that when people leave items out on the tree belt for pick up, his department investigates to see if the homeowner does have a bulk pick up permit. If not, the items are tagged informing residents how to obtain one.
- Nassau Lane/Hollister Drive – bags of leaves
- Rowland Drive (first 3 on left) – shrubs/trees/ brush/mattresses
- Long Hill off Burnside – curb belt/street belt – trash
Tim Bockus reassured the Commissioners that the maintenance department is in the area every week cleaning up the trash
- Weeds on Brewer Street – Pratt and Whitney side
Tim Bockus reported that Pratt and Whitney are responsible for weeding. He will contact them.
- May Road/Britt – bushes overgrown
Discussion was held that more plantings were put in the barrels than last year. Be patient as they begin to grow.
Tree Warden's RePORT
Tim Bockus reported on the following:
- The past month, 9 tree issues – 4 town owned
109 Brookfield Drive – serious stress
354 Hills/Oak – dead branches over sidewalk to be trimmed
134 Cipolla Drive – fell on fence
886 Main Street – dead Maple tree
Private property trees causing neighbor disputes. Letters have been sent to the owners in reference to potential hazards. The town takes no action with private trees, responsibility of owner.
Tim Bockus further reported that the “America the Beautiful” grant bid will be opened in 2 weeks. This grant will allow inventory of town owned trees and assessment.
Goodwin College will be doing pro bono work with their landscape architect on a few areas of town including the rear of the Brewer House, Wickham library, Town Hall and Alumni Park near the sculpture.
CL & P are continuing to trim trees throughout town.
The State Vegetative Task Force decided on two laws for the state:
- Town Tree Wardens are to be certified
- Recommendations on tree trimming for utility companies
Old BUsiness:
- Spring plantings No report at this time.
- Memorial Trees
Discussion was held with Tim Bockus on areas trees could be planted. Recommendations were as followed:
- McAuliffe Park – not appropriate, area is shaded
- Road going to Veteran’s Memorial Clubhouse
- Town Green
- Gorman Park – one tree taken down, will be replaced
- Silver Lane/Forbes (DePietro Park) –concern about maintenance
Due to the concern about where trees can be planted in town, it was decided that Memorial Cards would not be printed at this time. Commissioners should look throughout town for areas for trees to be planted for the next meeting.
New BusineSS
- Residential Beautification Awards
Betty Russell made a motion to award the June Residential Beautification Award to the homeowners of 1893 Main Street. Seconded by Mary Mourey. Approved.
- Business Beautification Awards
Dolores Kehoe made a motion to award the June Business Beautification Award to the CVS plaza located on the corner of Burnside Avenue and Main Street. Seconded by Betty Russell. Approved.
OTHER BUSINESS None at this time.
Payment of Bills:
Theresa Godreau $ 75.00
Marylee Hickey made a motion to pay the bills as submitted. Seconded by Mary Mourey. Approved.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Pat Byrnes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:29 p.m. Seconded by Elaine Dube. Approved.
REMINDER: THE JULY MEETING WILL BE HELD ON JULY 11, 2013 AT 5:30.
The next meeting of the Commission will be on Thursday, July 11, 2013 in Building Department Conference Room at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Godreau, Clerk
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