Beautification Committee
Minutes
Meeting - Thursday, November 25, 2008
Chair: Shirley Walker
Present: Tom Moran, Mary Ellen Halliwell, Paul Falconer, Jan Kendall, Sandra Power, Shirley Walker, and Ellen Talkowsky Absent: Judith Wolfe, Marcia Lambert
Minutes of the October 23rd meeting were read by Sandi, in the absence of Judith, and approved as corrected.
Old Business:
1. Artist Row clean up: Shirley reported that Judith had earlier cleaned up Artists' Row and removed the cornstalks, but that barrels now need to have dead flowers removed before the Event. She will do it next day after meeting.
2. Tree-mendous Event (reported at end of meeting): Shirley reported on the cost of ribbon, banner, large decorated wreath to be placed on the second story of Old Town Hall, and food supplies, and her considerable PR efforts with posters, fliers, and contacts with Kate Fox of Destination Salem, Chris Cassidy of the Salem News. Sandi reported on the efforts to recruit volunteers to man the food tables during the event and the hours spent at City Hall with Joanne McCrea, Jennifer Bell of Main Streets, and Judith Wolfe attaching the glass ball ornaments and the ornaments contributed by No Place for Hate. The morning after the meeting at 7:30 a.m. Sandi will take the ring, donated by Councilor Mike Sosnowski, with attached streamers down to the tree at Old Town Hall to meet with Shirley and the City workers
who will install the lights and the streamers. The considerable efforts to put this Event together and the volunteers who contributed will be documented by Shirley in an annual report. On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, BCom members will meet at Artist Row to set up the refreshment tables, the roping table, and the banners (wearing their new tee shirts). Ellen advised that if any emergency such as electrical problem during the weekend, dial "Fire Alarm" for assistance.
3. MBTA: Paul and Mary Ellen will meet to discuss upgrading the MBTA urns with winter greens from Gibney's. They have $80 left from their original purchase order. Jan expressed dismay at the poor state of the pole the BCom sign is on. Ellen will notify Jason. Sandi was critical of the sign's placement on the pole when originally it had been designated to be on the wall behind one of the urns. Ellen noted that it was on the pole in error, is coming down shortly, and will be put in the originally designated place next spring.
4. Newspaper boxes: Tabled until next meeting.
5. Committee Tee Shirts: Sandi displayed the new tee shirts and gave one to each of the attendees. They are lapis (blue) with green tulip logo on the front and the Salem City seal on the back. Salem Beautification Committee is displayed front and back. There were 2 L, 3 XXL, and 7 XXL and the bill came to $229. They were purchased from Gorilla on Canal Street.
6. Publicity: Tom is requesting that any BCom members with pictures of our activities, with us in them, bring them to the next meeting for a Gazette article. He noted that for events in the past he would send out info to TV and radio, that The Gazette is very happy to publish photos given to them. Shirley reported that Leo Jodoin is taping or Event, and that the Holiday Happenings section of the paper needs two months notice for a holiday event and we need to get an early start next year if our Event is repeated.
7. Community Beautification Thank You Letters: Ellen will look for the list given her at last meeting. Thank you letters have not been sent out.
8. Donations to Committee: Sandi reported there have been none received in response to two letters sent to Washington Street businesses last month after rehab of the Lafayette/Front Streets sidewalk garden. However, Shirley gave to Ellen a $50 check from Ada Roberts who owns a bed and breakfast on Winter Street and wishes to support the BCom. Joanne McÇrea was instrumental in obtaining this gift. Ellen reported that the recipient of one of the letters happened to see her and took the opportunity to ask if the request was legitimate. She assured him it was.
9. Tides Fund Raiser: Jan reported that after much delay a check for $300 and an apology was received from The Tides. Also a check for $25 from a person who was unable to join us at The Tides but wished to support our efforts.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Sandi Power
Secretary pro tem
| 
