ENFIELD BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
                                    Minutes of the Regular Meeting
                                                October 6, 2009
 
A regular meeting of the Enfield Beautification Committee was called to order at 7:09 PM on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 in the Thompsonville Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, 06082.
 
ROLL CALL
 
Present for the meeting were Chairman Colleen Ann Reidy, Darren Ketchale, Alexandra Bozzuto, John Hartley, Jen Aldrich, Jacqueline Frenette and Gail Miller-Staff Liaison.
 
MINUTES
 
Ms. Bozzuto motioned to accept the minutes of April 7, 2009. Mr. Hartley seconded the motion and Chairman Reidy and Mr. Ketchale agreed to accept the minutes. Ms. Aldrich and Ms. Frenette abstained.
 
FINANCIAL REPORT

Chairman Reidy informed the Beautification Committee that $3,555.77 was returned to the town of Enfield from the 2008/2009 budget.
 
FLAG PROGRAM

Mr. Hartley informed the Committee that Public Works has taken over the hanging, removal and storage of the flags. They will be stored in the facility on Moody Road. There are about 15-20 flags that need to be mended, which will be sent to Gladys’ for repair and about 30 flags are beyond repair and will need to be destroyed properly. Mr. Hartley informed the Committee that the town has approximately 275-300 flags and roughly 50 flags need to be replaced each year. Mr. Hartley asked if the committee could advertise the adopt-a-flag program in the paper again to purchase more flags for next year.

Ms. Aldrich questioned what the General Fund account was for. Mr. Hartley explained that these funds can move a flag pole from one location to another and purchase new flag poles for various locations.

Ms. Frenette asked Mr. Hartley where they were going to work on getting their next flag pole erected. Mr. Hartley suggested the Scitico Roll of Honor Monument.

Mr. Hartley informed Ms. Frenette that he has also been trying to get the State of Connecticut to help hang flags along the Suffield/Enfield Bridge. He requested that Ms. Frenette talk to some politicians to see if the State will pay for flags and poles along the bridge once the construction is finished. Ms. Frenette agreed and offered to take pictures of the bridge, gather information and put together a presentation for the state and will have it ready in two meetings for the Committee’s approval. Ms. Frenette suggested tabling the flag pole at Scitico project until the Bridge project has been completed, Mr. Hartley agreed.

GARDEN CLUB

Ms. Bozzuto reviewed several of the projects that the Garden Club accomplished throughout the year and commended the children who painted the pump house at the boat launch. She informed the committee it is the only pump house that has been decorated and they are trying to get national publicity/recognition for the children for giving back to their community and doing such a great job.

Ms. Bozzuto informed the Committee that someone from the Garden Club was approached and was asked if they could donate and plant mums at the memorial on the Town Green.

Ms. Bozzuto asked if the Garden Club could take over the wreaths for the Town Hall. The Garden club says the wreaths have been fading too quickly over the past years and would like to try some different flowers to see if they can get the colors to stay. Chairman Reidy stated she will ask the Town Manager who puts up the memorial wreaths to see if they would let the Garden Club take over the task.

Ms. Bozzuto informed the Committee that the Garden Club was at Barns Boat launch recently weeding and cleaning up the area.

Mr. Hartley asked who puts out the flower barrels and how come they were not put out this year. He suggested that if it is a budget issue, that the Beautification Committee might be able to help fund it in 2010. Chairman Reidy said she will try to find out who is in charge of putting them up.
 
ADOPT-A-SPOT

Chairman Reidy announced that the annual adopt-a-spot letters need to go out.

 
CLEAN SWEEP
 
The town of Enfield asked Chairman Reidy how they can help with clean sweep this year and she suggested donating gloves, snacks, water and garbage bags for all of the volunteers.
 
Election of Officers

Mr. Hartley nominated Ms. Reidy to remain the Chairperson. All were in favor.
 
Adopt-A-Street
 
Chairman Reidy informed the group about a program called Adopt-A-Street. An organization will adopt a street in a section Thompsonville and guarantee to clean up the street 4 times a year or more. To recognize the work the organization is doing, the town will put up a sign with the organization’s name on the street sign for $40.00.

Ms. Frenette suggested cleaning/weeding adopt-a-spots and Adopt-A-Streets to the community service lists with the Enfield Courts. Gail Miller is going to look into how to add these to the list.

The Community Garden has requested money for plastic boxes to store their gardening equipment in their shed for the winter. Chairman Reidy suggested giving them $200.00 to buy the supplies they need. Mr. Hartley suggested going with someone from the Community Garden to the store to purchase the items for them. Chairman Reidy motioned to purchase the items for the Community Garden, Ms. Frenette seconded the motion, and all were in favor.

Website

Chairman Reidy stated she believes the Committee website is extremely unused and asked for the committee to come up with ideas to add to it. Ms. Aldrich stated she would look at the website and its content to see if she can come up with any ideas.

Miscellaneous

Ms. Frenette petitioned to have their minimum quorum requirements brought down to 4 since many times their committee cannot have a quorum if one of their members can not make the meeting. Chairman Reidy seconded the motioned, all were in favor.

Mr. Hartley motioned to adjourn at 8:31 p.m.
 
The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday November 3, 2009 in the Thompsonville Room, Town Hall.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
Alexis Hanke-Alvarado
Recording Secretary