Salem Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes 9/28/15
Salem Beautification Committee Meeting minutes 9/28/15
In Attendance: Ellen Talkowsky, Sandi Power, Mary Ellen Halliwell, Sam Fiore, Marcia Lambert, Marc Berube, Judith Wolfe, Bev Moustakis
Absent: Lisa Lyons, Barb Sirois
Meeting Started at 7:05 pm
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes from August 25, 2015
DISCUSSION: Approval of minutes, contingent upon making the following noted corrections to original minutes:
Correct the spelling of Barb Sirois.
In the Traffic Island section: Change the spelling of Christendom to Christenson, change will speak to will meet.
In the Lady of Salem section: Change we received a new sponsor to we have interest in a new sponsor, change K/W to Keller Williams, change volunteers will to a suggestion was made to, change the next LOS team meeting will be on September 4 to was proposed for September 4, remove the sentence Jean Pare’s BCOM LOS & there will be two new sponsors for 2016.
MOTIONS________X________ SECONDED________X___________ ALL IN FAVOR_______X________
2. Traffic Islands Updates
DISCUSSION:
The Central street islands will be examined for work that needs to be completed.
Sandi pointed out that Riley Plaza needs a clean up and that the volunteer team will handle.
Sandi informed the group that the volunteers and BCOM members are in fall clean up mode with the islands.
Regarding the Active Duty Island Ellen reported that the City will be redesigning that island and cross walks beginning in the fall of 2015, which will mean the plants need to be removed. Phil Blackwell, the island’s sponsor, is making plans to preserve the plants from the island during the winter to be replanted on the island next spring.
It was suggested that photos of the island plantings and landscaping be taken to ensure the island is replicated next spring with the replanting. Sandi will arrange for the photos to be taken.
3. Mill Street Island Project Update
DISCUSSION:
There was discussion regarding the irrigation system working appropriately in the 5 large pots but not on the ground in between. Ellen assured us via Tom O’Shea that the irrigation system was working in all areas on the island and that some of the plants have perished due to the extremely hot weather following the planting day. We might consider not planting any more plants in between the pots. This discussion will be considered next spring as the sponsors for the island will make decisions for the next round of plantings for the island.
The flowers planted in the pots are doing really well.
Ellen is waiting for the invoice from NE Nursery to make its way to her desk from accounts payable so that she may prepare a complete accounting of the Mill Street Island project expenses. The plan is to report and review the costs to the BCOM group during October’s meeting.
4. Pumpkin Decorating Contest
DISCUSSION:
Ellen reported that the sheriff’s department will donate 175 pumpkins.
Bev will contact Shaw’s Supermarket and ask them to donate pumpkins again for this year’s contest.
Ellen will finalize prizes with Fiesta Shows.
Key dates: Pumpkin trailer on site 10/16/15, Intake on Saturday 10/17 & 10/18 in the morning, Judging on 10/18. School decorating schedule was discussed tentatively for 10/13, 14, 15 and 16. The final schedule will be as follows:
School Decorating Days schedule: Ellen to confirm schedule of coverage with BCOM members.
Boys & Girls Club After School Program – 78 children, Tuesday, October 13 – Witchcraft Heights – 3:00 pm
For Kids Only After School Program – 55 children, Wednesday, October 14 – Bates – 3:00 pm
Display Trailer – Salem Common
We will not do intake this year on Friday 10/16.
Saturday, October 17 – 10am- 2pm, Intake
BCOM members schedule: Mary Ellen from 10am-2pm, Sandi from 10am-Noon, Judith from Noon-2pm
Sunday, October 18 – 10am – Noon, Intake followed by the judging
BCOM members schedule: Marcia, Marc and Lisa from 10am- noon and then judging.
5. Lady of Salem (LOS)
DISCUSSION:
Mary Ellen reported that the LOS takedown day is scheduled for Friday, October 9. They will be stored at the YMCA again this year.
The LOS group is participating in the Trails and Sails weekends.
Mary Ellen will be submitting an invoice for $50 to repair the back- board of one of the LOS.
Sam noted that Pam Shelton is interested in joining the BCOM.
6. Old/New Business
DISCUSSION:
Mary Ellen raised the point about the Essex County Jail Farm in Lawrence has a garden and how could they help us if possible. More discussion to follow. Ellen pointed out that the pumpkins that the Sheriff donates for the decorating contest are grown on this farm.
MOTION:
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded and all in favor.
Meeting adjourned @ 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marc Berube