Beautification Commission
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Present: Pat Sirois; Pat Byrnes; Marylee Hickey; Dolores Kehoe;
Sue Kickery; Mary Mourey; Tony Russo.
Also Present: Roger Moss, Director/Park and Recreation
Absent: Helen Boardman (excused); Betty Russell (excused);
Bonnie Nichols, Director/Inspections and Permits (excused).
Bill Taylor, Director/Public Works (excused).
Call to order:
Chair Sirois called the meeting of the Beautification Commission to order at 5:07 p.m.
Acceptance of minutes of MARCH 4, 2010
Mary Mourey made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 4, 2010 meeting. Seconded by Dolores Kehoe. Approved.
Opportunity for citizens to speak: None.
Financial Report:
Chair Sirois reported the general budget has a balance of $5712.21. Remembrance Fund balance is $520.96.
Communications:
Chair Sirois received the following correspondence:
Chair's report: No report.
Tree Warden's RePORT: No report.
Old BUsiness:
A. Arbor Day - April 30, 2010 – Langford School 9:30 a.m.
Invitations were received by all Commissioners. Tony Russo will contact Greg Fox in reference to the type of tree to be purchased and the placement of planting.
Chair Sirois, Pat Byrnes, Dolores Kehoe, Mary Mourey and Betty Russell plan on attending the event.
New Business None.
Other Business
Chair Sirois reported that Tony Russo is having difficulty finding small dwarf Alberta Spruce trees. The dwarf Alberta Spruce that are available for purchase are 18” – 30” high which are much too large for the planters.
Tony Russo reported that tulips have been placed in the 12 barrels throughout town. Discussion was held on the type of flowers to be planted in the late spring. It was decided that wave petunias and marigolds will be planted. Roger Moss stated that there are a variety of plantings in barrels in the city of Hartford. It was recommended that they be contacted to find out what they use. Mary Mourey will contact the Knox Foundation, the responsible party for plantings in barrels. Further discussion was held and Tony Russo will also contact the city of Meriden public works to find out what plantings they use. Barrels in both towns are colorful and different heights of flowers are used. A report on the findings will be discussed next month.
Commissioners thanked Roger Moss for purchasing the music sheet for the song “O Chanukah, O Chanukah” for Holiday Fest. The clerk will make copies and send them to Emil Kopcha.
Concerns of the Commission:
The following concerns were discussed:
- Chair Sirois reported that trees are missing on the median near Pitkin Street. There have been accidents there, causing the trees to be removed. Re-imbursement to the town from those motor vehicle accidents should have taken place. Tony Russo will contact Cindy Bennett.
- It was recommended that Park and Recreation department have a plan for the Connecticut Boulevard area.
- Concern for the medians near Pratt & Whitney. Tony Russo stated that the area has been cleaned for the spring and recommended planting junipers.
- Service sign, King Street area, an emblem is off, area needs to be cleaned. This is the responsibility of the Public Works department. The clerk will notify Bill Taylor.
- Greenwood Street – new windows, tags still on windows, shingles not painted. Clerk will notify Bonnie Nichols.
- Corner of Bradley and Brewer Streets – area needs to be cleaned up by the homeowner (many cars, motorcycles, toys, etc.) It is an eyesore.
- 975 Forbes Street – RV in backyard, cars, amounts of junk in yard.
Marylee Hickey discussed the report published in reference to the survey taken by the town about downtown. Town merchants had various complaints and East Hartford needs to instill community pride in the area. Roger Moss will be attending a meeting in reference to the downtown plan and will share the Commission’s concern.
Marylee Hickey recommended that the Commission have a “Neighborhood Award” for those neighborhoods that are working hard to maintain their properties. Chair Sirois told Commissioners to be aware of the various neighborhoods throughout town for this award consideration.
Payment of Bills:
Theresa Godreau (clerk) $ 75.00
S & S Worldwide (Button parts) $93.66
Mary Mourey made the motion to pay the bills as submitted. Seconded by Dolores Kehoe . Approved.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Sue Kickery made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Seconded by Mary Mourey . Approved.
The next meeting of the Commission will be May 6, 2010 in Building Department Conference Room at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Godreau, Clerk
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